Messi seemed to be at the forefront of everything that transpired during Monday’s ceremony for the Ballon d’Or.
Besides picking up a record-breaking seventh Ballon d’Or title, which obviously pleased his fans, Messi also garnered online plaudits for showing just why he’s the best, on and off the field.
Proud dad moment with Pedri
As Pedri, the Barcelona youngster was offering his gratitude to supporters after winning the Kopa Trophy, his former teammate Leo Messi seemed unable to contain his happiness.
Despite not having played together for long, Messi watched on with all smiles as Pedri collected the award, thanking Barcelona and Messi in particular.
The youngster added: “I want to thank Barça, all the people who have supported me day by day, the coaches, the players and above all the captains, who made my stay in Barcelona easier, like Leo Messi, Thank you for helping me.”
Pedri was adjudged as the Kopa Trophy winner, awarded to best youngsters under the age of 21, after beating the likes of Jude Bellingham, Mason Greenwood and Bukayo Saka for an incredible 2021 season.
Soon after establishing himself in the starting eleven for Barcelona in 2020/21, Pedri was handed La Roja call-up, representing his country at the Euro 2020, where he was named the Young Player of the Tournament.
Messi watching Pedri win the Kopa award 🤩 pic.twitter.com/STd2eXtmSJ
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) November 29, 2021
Gesture for Antonela
In another unrelated incident, fans seemed to have been won over yet again by the Argentine’s apparently spontaneous yet wholesome gesture.
Arriving for the Ballon d’Or red carpet, Messi and his wife Antonela Roccuzzo, accompanied by their three sons, were being snapped by the frenzied paparazzi.
One personnel was then seen gesturing to Antonela to stand aside to make way for pictures of Messi and his sons alone. However, almost instantaneously, as Antonela seemed about to leave, Messi asked her to remain standing, ignoring the personnel’s advice.
Fans were moved by the gesture, many suggesting he might as well be conferred with a ‘Husband d’Or’ if there was one.
A France Football director told Antonela to stand aside to take pictures of Messi alone with his sons but he made sure she stayed by his side. King.
— MC (@CrewsMat10) November 30, 2021
pic.twitter.com/e8hjhHC94T
