Lionel Messi: Kvaratskhelia Discloses Touching Moment With Ballon d’Or Winner in Paris

• Lionel Messi won his record-extending 8th Ballon d'Or last month
• Napoli and Georgian star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia ranked number 17
• ‘Kvaradona’ has disclosed a touching moment with Messi in Paris

Lionel Messi won himself a new fan in Khvicha Kvaratskhelia for his touching gesture to the Napoli winger at the Ballon d'Or event in Paris last month.

Messi won his record-extending eighth award, beating competition from Manchester City striker Erling Haaland and former Paris Saint-Germain teammate Kylian Mbappe.

His 2022 FIFA World Cup exploits, where he led Argentina to glory, exalted him over Haaland, who won the treble with Man City in his first season in English football.

Messi melts Kvaratskhelia’s heart

Napoli star Kvaratskhelia was present at the gala in Paris after receiving his first nomination for his extraordinary year with the Neapolitans, helping the club to the Scudetto.

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The Georgian winger, who ranked 17 in the final rankings, disclosed what happened when he met Messi, as seen in a viral video on social media.

“Meeting Messi was history for me; maybe you would not believe me if I told you the story. Messi changed completely for me after that as a person. Of course, I knew him as a player, and it’s very hard to find a player like him in the whole history of football,” he said.

He claimed the Inter Miami superstar defied an order to come to his side and shook hands with him, which massively boosted the respect he has for him.

“He walked directly towards me, I didn't know what was happening and suddenly he gave me a hand to shake. I got so confused, I stood up instantly and shook his hand. After this, he greeted me and walked back to his seat. After this, I don't know, he got my huge respect, a player like him to stand up to say hello to, it was crazy. He is an amazing person, and I respect and appreciate him a lot,” he said.

How Messi beat Haaland and Mbappe to his 8th Ballon d'Or by points

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Messi beat Haaland by 105 points

Sports Brief reported on Messi winning the 2023 Ballon d'Or ahead of Erling Haaland by a 105-point margin after France Football released the voting details.

The World Cup winner had 462 points, while the Manchester City striker had 357 points. Both men received number 1 votes from their countries, Argentina and Norway, respectively.