Lionel Messi held the Ballon d’Or above his head as fireworks ended a ceremony before the game. That meant that Inter Miami could honor the best player in the game one more time in 2023.

Messi played in a friendly against New York City FC on Friday night for his Major League Soccer team. The game was held to honor his eighth Ballon D’Or win, which is given every year to the best player in the game. He won it at a black-tie event in Paris last month. That award has only been won five times by one other player.

With the trophy in his left hand, Messi walked to middle on a gold carpet that had been laid out across the field. MLS Commissioner Don Garber was waiting for him for a short ceremony before the game. He hugged Garber and Jorge and Jose Mas, owners of Inter Miami, and then raised the prize as the crowd cheered.

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The Barcelona player said, “To me, it’s something beautiful to share with you.” “I’ve only been here for a short time, but it feels like I’ve been here for a long time.”

This shows how important the event was: Even Garber took out his phone to record the event.