La Bombonera Set for Another Messi Party? Ballon d’Or Presentation Reportedly Being Planned

La Bombonera Set for Another Messi Party? Ballon d’Or Presentation Reportedly Being Planned

Joel Reyes
updated at November 13, 2023 at 7:55 AM
In this article:
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  • Lionel Messi will reportedly present his eighth Ballon d’Or to Argentina fans on Thursday
  • The veteran could show off the award inside Boca Juniors’ home stadium, La Bombonera
  • Argentina will face Uruguay on the same day and venue in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier

La Bombonera will be rocking this Thursday.

Argentina will face Uruguay for their fifth World Cup qualifying match of the year inside Boca Juniors' famous home stadium.

As a bonus, Lionel Messi might also present his Ballon d'Or award to Argentina fans that day for the first time in his illustrious career.

Lionel Messi, Ballon d'Or, La Bombonera, Argentina, World Cup, Boca Juniors
Lionel Messi holds his eighth Ballon d'Or award. Images: FRANCK FIFE/ Megan Briggs.
Source: Getty Images

Messi experienced quite a treatment from Boca fans when he played at La Bombonera last June for Juan Roman Riquelme's testimonial match.

It’s only fitting that Messi presents his eighth Ballon d’Or title to thousands of Argentina fans inside the iconic stadium, as it was his World Cup heroics with the national team that helped him win the award.

Messi's World Cup glory

He led Argentina to their third World Cup title in Qatar last December, scoring twice in the epic final win over France.

He finished the tournament with seven goals and three assists in seven matches played, per Sports Illustrated.

Messi was one of only three players to play in every single minute of Argentina’s 2022 World Cup campaign - 690 in total after two of their matches went to extra time.

Argentina's World Cup Qualifiers

Messi has just returned to Argentina for another tour of duty with the national football team. He is expected to see action against Uruguay and Brazil as La Albiceleste conclude their World Cup qualifiers for the year.

Argentina are off to a terrific start in their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign, winning each of their first four matches.

The current world champions defeated Ecuador, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Peru, with Messi scoring a total of three goals during that stretch.

He scored the winning goal against Ecuador, netting a free kick in the 78th minute of Argentina’s 1-0 win, per ESPN.

Messi then scored a brace in Argentina’s last match against Peru, netting a double in the first half.

Messi celebrates with Inter Miami fans

Sports Brief recently reported on the Noche d’Or celebration that Inter Miami organised.

Messi presented his eighth Ballon d’Or title to the thousands of Inter Miami fans who flocked to DRV PNK Stadium on Saturday, November 11.

They gave Messi a thunderous ovation once the football icon walked out to the pitch holding the prestigious award.

Authors
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Joel Reyes
Joel Reyes is a sports editor at Sportsbrief.com with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from the University of the Philippines. He has eight years of work experience in sports writing.
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