In December, Lionel Messi and the Argentina national team won the FIFA World Cup. Messi credits his two years at Paris Saint-Germain with setting him up for success.

After a sluggish start, Messi found his greatest form and won back-to-back Ligue 1 Uber Eats titles after joining PSG on a free transfer from Barcelona in the summer of 2021.

After establishing his reputation with Argentina and leading them to victory in Qatar, he joined David Beckham’s Inter Miami project this summer, where he has already contributed 32 goals and 35 assists in 75 appearances.

The ideal setting

With his eighth Ballon d’Or, Messi broke the record for most ever won by a player. “I had two years where a lot of things happened, some good and not so good,” he said. “But I’ve previously mentioned this moment multiple times, it’s now in the past and I only recall the great things: with the squad, we won two league titles in a row.

“I made very good friends in Paris and it was by playing there that I managed to become world champion.”