Lionel Messi: 2023 Ballon d’Or Winner Celebrates Son’s Birthday at Inter Miami Academy

• Lionel Messi joined Inter Miami academy players to celebrate his son's birthday
• The celebration came just after he had won another Ballon d'Or award on October 30
• The Argentine gave the kids a chance to hold his trophy as they took photos

Lionel Messi took time to celebrate his son's birthday at the Inter Miami academy a few days after winning another Ballon d'Or title.

Messi flew back to Florida as soon as he received his award in Paris, France and one of his first stops was to visit the Inter Miami academy in what was an inspirational moment.

The Argentine took the Ballon d'Or trophy to the kids as he mingled with them for a photo session in what the club called 'Freedom to Dream.'

The visit to the academy coincided with his eldest son, Thiago Messi, turning 11 years old. Thiago, who was born on November 2nd, had accompanied his dad, alongside his two siblings and their mother, to the Ballon d'Or gala.

Kylian Mbappe appears to sign fan's dress shirt before Ballon d'Or ceremony in France

Football

Messi celebrates son's birthday

In a video now shared online, Thiago's teammates at the academy organised a celebratory slapping parade to mark his birthday. Messi joined in on the line-up and as his son went through the human tunnel, he was slapped on the back in what is a common feat in football.

Her is the video of that incident:

Messi presents Ballon d'Or to Inter Miami fans

Sports Brief has also reported that Inter Miami fans were, for the very first time on November 11, given an opportunity to see the Ballon d'Or award up close when Lionel Messi presented it to them at the DRV PNK stadium.

The club organised a celebration dubbed the Noche d'Or to recognise Messi's record-extending eighth Ballon d'Or win in his career.

Club co-owner David Beckham presented Messi with the Golden Ball at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris on October 30. The Argentine beat the treble-winning Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe, whom he shared a dressing room with at Paris Saint-Germain, but beat him in the World Cup final.