Arsenal's Arteta on Messi's eighth Ballon d'Or

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta backed Leo Messi to win the Ballon d'Or as he was awarded the eighth of his career in Paris on Monday, along with Aitana Bonmati's first Ballon d'Or.

The Argentinian beat Norway's Erling Haaland and France's Kylian Mbappr in the voting, after a season in which he won the World Cup in Qatar with Argentina, adding the 3rd star for Argentina.

"When you talk about Messi, it can never be wrong. What he’s done; he’s won the World Cup, at his age, it was the pinnacle of his career. Everybody was expecting it, it’s just incredible," said Arteta.

"The consistency that he has shown, the level that he has put world football into, it’s incredible. I’m so glad as well that we had a few nominated in those lists," added the Gunners coach.

 

October 31, 2023