Lionel Messi donates eighth Ballon d’Or to Barcelona museum – despite winning award during first season in MLS with Inter Miami

The Argentine icon severed ties with La Liga giants back in 2021, with a move to Paris Saint-Germain being made as a free agent. After two seasons in France, Messi decided to go chasing an American dream in MLS last summer.

Having inspired Argentina to World Cup glory at Qatar 2022, an eighth Golden Ball was passed his way in 2023. Messi also helped Inter Miami to Leagues Cup glory – making him the most-decorated player of all-time with 44 major honours to his name.

Messi does not have enough space at home to display all of his record-setting collection of trophies, with Barcelona on hand to help him out in that department. Seven of his Ballons d’Or are currently housed in the Catalan club’s official museum, and E-Noticies has revealed that number eight is on the way.

Messi has previously said: “Everything I own is in Barcelona, there at the museum. Ballons d’Or, Golden Boots, everything.” That will remain the case despite now plying his trade in the United States, with it impossible for emotional and professional ties with the Blaugrana to be severed.