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'He's tired of being the best' - Fans react as Lionel Messi says Ballon d'Or no longer important to him after World Cup win

Lionel Messi stated that Ballon d'Or is no longer important to him after confirming the 2022 World Cup will be his final.

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Lionel Messi (Source: Twitter)

Lionel Messi Lionel Messi (Source: Twitter)

Argentina skipper Lionel Messi has stated that Ballon d’Or is longer important to him after winning the FIFA World Cup in 2022. Messi has won the prestigious award seven times - the most by any player in the history of the game. The star striker has a strong chance of winning it again, but he prefers the collective prize to individual awards.

Messi, recently, parted ways with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) after his two-year contract with the French club expired and is all set to feature in the Major League Soccer (MLS) with Inter Miami. The 35-year-old is currently in China with his national team for the match against Australia. When asked by reporters about his thoughts on winning another Ballon d'Or, the highest individual accolade in the sport, he gave a surprising answer.

"Does the Ballon d’Or matter to me? No, it’s no longer important to me. I’ve always said, the individual prizes are not what matters to me, but the collective ones are the most important. The most important prize at the moment is the World Cup, the greatest prize for me,” Messi told Titan Sports in China.

Messi rules out his participation in 2026 World Cup

Ahead of the friendly against Australia in Beijing, Messi said the 2022 World Cup would be his last edition and he would not participate in the next World Cup in 2026.

"I think not. This was my last World Cup. I'll see how things go but in principle, I won't go to the next World Cup," the 2022 World Cup Golden Boot winner said.

Speaking to Titan Sports, Messi also praised his former manager and current Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola for his historic treble achievement.

"I talk a lot with Pep as we still maintain frequent contact. I am very happy about his achievement, winning the recent UEFA Champions League. He is the best coach in the world, and although, in my opinion, he didn't need to win this Champions League title to prove that, it further demonstrates that he is the world's top coach, which is an achievement he deserves," Messi said.

Here's how fans reacted to Messi's statement: 

Lionel Messi