This is the World Cup stage, and at the same time, England-Argentina are in the semi-final battle. Even in such a scenario, Lionel Messi did not make a mistake in the fight with Harry Kane. In the mission to secure the final, the Argentine magician beat the English star with a great dribble. He took the team to the final.
However, Harry Kane had the last laugh by making Messi the audience at the biggest stage of personal recognition, the Ballon d'Or. This prestigious trophy was won by an English footballer after twenty-five years. However, Messi made history by finishing fifth in the Ballon d'Or at the age of forty-nine. Even at this age, the record of achieving this feat at the oldest age by making it to the top five of the Ballon d'Or is now in the possession of the Argentine legend.
Messi has repeatedly proven that age is just a number for talent. That Messi is now fifth in the Ballon d'Or race. The award was won by England captain Harry Kane. Despite not receiving the trophy, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner made history at the age of forty-nine.
However, the record for the oldest player to make it to the top five of the Ballon d'Or is still held by legendary goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.
He finished fourth in the 2017 Ballon d'Or at the age of forty-nine years and ten months. On the other hand, Messi set the record for being in the top five at the age of forty-nine years and four months.
In total, the number is a record seventeen times. The Ballon d'Or trophy was not received this time. But can Messi's excellence be measured only by awards? Time moves on. New stars emerge. Football generations change. Yet Messi remains bright in his own light.