Seven-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi has revealed a shock new stance on winning the prestigious award.
The Argentine holds the record for the most Ballon d'Or wins, having been crowned winner of the famous prize in 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2019 and 2021.
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The Argentine is also one of the top contenders for the 2023 accolade after he inspired Argentina to their first FIFA World Cup title since 1986 in Qatar last December.
By his own admission, that feat is by far the greatest accomplishment of his career, having endured several previous disappointments in the World Cup and the Copa America.
Before winning the latter tournament in 2021, he lost the finals thereof in the 2007, 2015, and 2016 editions, and also tasted defeat in the 2014 World Cup decider against Germany in Brazil.
Now in the twilight of his career and away from European football for the first time in his adult life, some believe this year is his final shot at claiming a record-extending eighth Golden Ball, although he faces competition from Norwegian sensation Erling Haaland, who has won four trophies with Manchester City over the past 13 months, including a continental treble.
However, speaking in a press conference ahead of Inter Miami's Leagues Cup final against Nashville this weekend, Messi revealed that he is no longer too bothered about winning the Ballon d'Or, per Goal.
"I have said it many times, the Ballon d'Or is very important due to the recognition at an individual level, but I never gave it importance.
"The most important thing for me was always the awards at the group level.
"I was lucky to have achieved everything in my career and after the World Cup, I'm thinking about that award much less, my biggest award was that [the World Cup].
"If it [the Ballon d'Or] arrives, good, and if not, nothing happens.
"I was lucky to achieve all my goals in my career and now I have new goals with this club."
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