Spanish sports outlet MARCA has officially declared Lionel Messi as the Greatest of All Time (GOAT), recognizing his unparalleled achievements and legacy in football. To personally deliver this prestigious honor, MARCA’s director Juan Ignacio Gallardo embarked on a special journey to Miami, where Messi now dazzles fans with Inter Miami CF.
At Miami’s DRV PNK Stadium, Gallardo presented Messi with a gleaming trophy that symbolized not only his records but also the joy and magic he has brought to millions. Messi, surrounded by family, teammates, and club officials, accepted the award humbly, with the same grace that has defined his career.
“It’s an incredible honor,” Messi said with a smile. “Football has given me everything, and to be recognized this way, especially by a country that became my second home during my time at Barcelona, is very special.”
Gallardo spoke at the event, praising Messi’s career:
“We are here not only to acknowledge the numbers, the records, and the trophies but to celebrate the passion, humility, and joy Messi has brought to fans around the world. There is no debate—he is the GOAT.”
Messi’s journey from the streets of Rosario, Argentina, to becoming the best player the world has ever seen is a story of relentless dedication. Over a 20-year career, he amassed an awe-inspiring collection of trophies:
7 Ballon d’Ors (the most ever)
4 Champions League titles
10 La Liga titles
World Cup winner with Argentina (2022)
His crowning moment came in Qatar 2022, when he lifted the World Cup with Argentina, cementing his legacy as a footballing legend.
Since joining Inter Miami in 2023, Messi has once again proven his brilliance by guiding the club to its first-ever Leagues Cup victory and inspiring a new generation of fans in the United States. The city of Miami has embraced Messi as one of their own, with his arrival marking the beginning of a new era in Major League Soccer (MLS).
“This award isn’t just for me,” Messi said. “It’s for all the teammates, coaches, and fans who supported me throughout my career. I couldn’t have achieved any of this without them.”
As the cameras flashed and Miami’s fans roared in celebration, Gallardo summed it up best:
“There may be other great players, but there will only ever be one Lionel Messi.”
