Lionel Messi drops retirement hint while collecting record sixth Ballon d'Or award

Barcelona star Lionel Messi won Ballon d’Or 2019 at a ceremony held in Paris, France recently. Messi overtook his arch-rival Cristia Ronaldo to win his sixth Ballon d’Or.  player has won more Ballon d’Ors than Messi. Ronaldo has won five in total.

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Ballon d'Or 2019: Lionel Messi spoke on his retirement 

However, during awards ceremony, Lionel Messi hinted at his retirement plans. As quoted by Goal, Barcelona star stated that he was well aware of fact that he was 32. He hoped to keep playing for many more years. However, he was clear about his retirement plans, saying that everything depends on his physical well-being. Messi felt that he was at his best (physically) at present, and he looks to continue this way for some time to come. He furr stated that he was enjoying football more than ever. 

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Ballon d'Or 2019: Lionel Messi was asked about his first Ballon d'Or experience

Messi was also asked about his experience of winning his first Ballon d’Or way back in 2009. Argentine replied that he still relishes his first Ballon d’Or win in Paris when he had arrived with his three siblings. He was 22 n and it was unimaginable for him to be at such a big st at that time.

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Ballon d'Or 2019: Lionel Messi felt proud of winning award for a record sixth time

Messi was also asked about his thoughts on winning accolade for sixth time. He commented that it was unimaginable for him to win one, let alone six. He felt that it is a joy to win his sixth Ballon d’Or in front of his wife and children and he felt proud of it. 

Lionel Messi had scored 51 goals in 50 games last season in all competitions, making him favourite to win Ballon d’Or. He won LaLiga with Barcelona, while also clinching his sixth European Boot for scoring most goals in Europe’s top five leagues. His closest challenger for award was Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk, who won UEFA Champions League last season. He was also crowned as UEFA Player of year.

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