Lunar eclipse|5 June Chandra Grahan

Lionel Messi 8th Celebration at Inter Miami Exhibition Match

Lionel Messi held the Ball above his head as fireworks lit up the sky to end the pre-match ceremony. And with that, Inter Miami had to celebrate the game and the best player one more time in 2023.  Messi was on the pitch with his Major League Soccer club on Friday night in a friendly against New York City FC. to celebrate his eighth  Ballon d'Or award - given annually to the game's best player - at a black-tie ceremony in Paris last month. No other player has won the award more than five times. 

 Messi, carrying the trophy in his left hand, walked onto the golden carpet at midfield, where among them MLS commissioner Don Garber awaited his arrival for a brief pregame ceremony. He hugged Garber, Inter Miami owners Jorge and Jose Mas, then raised the trophy to the crowd. 

 "It's great to share this with all of you," Messi said. "I've been here  a long time, but it seems like a long time." 

 

 Even Garber pulled out his cell phone to capture the moment. 

 "You Inter Miami fans have the greatest player to ever play the game," Garber said. "Winner of your 8th Ballon dand #039 or the man who led your team to the  Cup in the league, thank you Leo for believing in Major League Soccer and making your club and  league the league of choice." 

 

 It was the perfect mesiand#039 during his first four months  as an official member of the club: the first year started with a pitch party and ended with another party to look back on the second year. "He is the star of this match and we want to be with him to celebrate his eighth Ballon d'Or," Inter Miami coach Gerardo "Tata" Martino said. "This is also an opportunity  for us to compete. Although it is a friendly, it is an opportunity for  people and  fans to see Leo and his teammates on the court and say goodbye to the year. 

 

 It was a bonus chance to say goodbye, at least on  home turf. Inter Miami's home game and#039; ended over three weeks ago, as Messi did not play that night - he had just returned from a  World Cup qualifier against Argentina.  

 Inter Miami was scheduled to play a few games in China earlier this month, but the trip was canceled due to  the team's "unforeseen circumstances." When that failed, Inter Miami resorted to another option, having an NYCFC  exhibition game between teams that missed the ongoing MLS playoffs. Messi has been training with the team for much of the last two weeks and arrived with the team  the morning after receiving the Ballon d'Or in Paris. 

 "I would like to thank all the people of Miami, not only those who are here in the stadium," Messi said. "A treat for me and my family... you and #039; made me feel at home." 

 

 Messi, who did not play in the MLS final at Inter Miami on October 21, is likely to play at least twice more in 2023 - Argentina has a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay (in Buenos Aires) on the 16th. in November  and against Brazil (Rio de). Janeiro) on November 21.  The team is likely to begin training for 2024 in January, and the MLS regular season may begin in late February. It will be an exciting year for Inter Miami, who won the League Cup - their first trophy - shortly after Messi signed for the club this summer. In this tournament, the club plays in  the United States. In addition to the Open Cup and the CONCACAF Champions Cup, in addition to the MLS tournament in 2024. 

 "I have no doubt... that next year will be much better," Messi said. "We will continue to enjoy and try to win more titles and I hope  you will be with me." 

 

 Martino was asked this week what still drives Messi. He said Messi's competition level  in practice would be the best answer. 

 "If you could see them, you wouldn't even have to ask that question," Martino said. "You'll see  what I mean." 

 

 The GOAT - often used as an abbreviation for Greatest Of All Time - is the talk of many sports. In basketball, there is Michael Jordan or LeBron James. Golf has Tiger Woods or Jack Nicklaus. In men's tennis, there is Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal or Novak Djokovic. 

 We can still talk about football. But eight Ballon d'Or awards will certainly weigh on Messi's claim. 

 "I think it's over," said Inter Miami forward Benjamin Cremaschi, 18 not yet two months old, when Messi - then a baby-faced, hairy youth, not a beard - approached. . Now he has a dirty look - he scored his first official goal for Barcelona in 2005. "He's proven that over the last 18 years. I think he's the best player in the world, the best player in history. And I don't know if a lot of people would disagree. Obviously it's a  bit biased, but in my opinion that I saw, I did not see that anyone saw better."