Messi is pictured with his hands between his face, wearing the eight rings, to replicate a similar pose by 11-time NBA championship winner Russell from an iconic photoshoot in 1996. The Argentinian, considered among the greatest players of all time, pipped Man City star Erling Haaland to this year’s Ballon d’Or award. It came after another outstanding season from Messi, who guided his country to World Cup glory in Qatar in December.

He scored a whopping 32 goals in 55 games across all competitions to help PSG to the Ligue 1 title before making the move to the MLS to join David Beckham’s Inter Miami. Beckham presented him with the coveted award at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, to a standing ovation from members of the crowd. ‘It’s nice to be here once more to enjoy this moment,’ said Messi. ‘To be able to win the World Cup and achieve my dream.’

Speaking on Messi, Beckham said: ‘It’s very special to say he’s a Miami player and he’s in our city. He’ll celebrate this with his team-mates and his family in his way. ‘We’ll do our best to celebrate it in the Miami way. I’m sure we can do a good party.’ The four-time champions league winner beat some tough competition to claim first place, with Haaland second, Kylian Mbappe third and Kevin De Bruyne fourth.

Asked whether he was the best football player in history at the ceremony, the 36-year-old replied: ‘As I always said, I do not know if I am the best player in history or not. ‘If I am one of the best, then this is a wonderful thing.’ Messi also wrote on his Instagram: ‘I only have words of gratitude for all the people around the world who supported me so much during my career and to whom I want to specially dedicate this award, along with my family who was always by my side.

‘This is a Ballon d’Or that I also want to share with my fellow, technical body, the employees… Because without the World Cup we achieved together it would have been impossible to win it. Congratulations to all the winners and many thanks!’ He also wished the late Argentine legend Diego Maradona, who died in 2020 following a fatal heart attack, a happy birthday during his acceptance speech.