By Daily Sports Nigeria on December 25, 2022

Lionel Messi is still missing one award to complete his impressive collection with the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner still yet to get his hands on the Golden Foot trophy.

Messi, 35, finally claimed the honour that has eluded him for so much of his glittering career on Sunday evening as Argentina overcame France on penalties to lift the World Cup for the third time in their history.

Boasting 10 La Liga titles, four Champions League crowns, the Copa America and even a gold medal at the 2008 Olympics, Messi is undoubtedly one of the most illustrious footballers to have ever graced the planet – though there is one honour that has eluded him.

The Golden Foot is an international award handed out to the most prestigious footballer of the year, where the winner has their own foot emblazoned on “The Champions Promenade”, on the seafront of Monaco.

Only able to be won once, the recipient of the honour must be over 28 years of age, meaning Messi has been overlooked on seven occasions by the panel of international journalists.

Previous winners include Zlatan Ibrahimovic (2012), Mohamed Salah (2021) and Cristiano Ronaldo (2020) with Robert Lewandowski scooping up the award for this year after rattling in 18 goals in 19 matches for Barcelona and bagging the Bundesliga title at former club Bayern Munich.

“I’m very happy, I’m very proud,” said Poland’s record goalscorer upon receiving the 2022 award.

“For me, it’s a huge honour to win this award because I know how hard I’ve had to work for this and now I can be proud of myself.

“If you see the list of the names, the winners of this trophy, it makes me even more proud.”

Source Sporting Sun

Posted December 25, 2022

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