Lionel Messi responds as Premier League star makes history at Ballon d’Or awards

Lionel Messi was absent from the Ballon d’Or awards ceremony in Paris on Monday night, but he still sent his best wishes to one of his favourite team-mates after he scooped a trophy

Lionel Messi has lavished praise on Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez after he was once again recognised at the Ballon d’Or awards.

Manchester City midfielder Rodri claimed the biggest award of the night in Paris by beating Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior to lift the trophy. But it was also a good night for Martinez, who finished in 18th place for the Ballon d’Or award and won the Yashin Trophy, given to the best goalkeeper, for the second successive year.

Argentina star Martinez pipped Spain and Athletic Bilbao’s Unai Simon and Ukraine and Real Madrid’s Andiy Lunin to the gong. The 32-year-old has impressed for Villa, helping them reach the Champions League, but it is his performances for Argentina that have made him one of Messi’s favourite team-mates.

The Ballon d’Or awards have entered a new era with eight-time winner Messi nor five-time winner Cristiano Ronaldo on the shortlist for the first time since 2003. But the Inter Miami forward was still keeping an eye on proceedings.

Posting a picture of Martinez and his Argentina team-mate Lautaro Martinez – who finished seventh – on stage, Messi wrote: “Congratulations to all the winners and nominees of the Ballon d’Or 2024. Especially to Dibu (what a great, another award for best goalkeeper in the world!), to Lautaro, to Leo and Ale. It’s very nice to see them there!”

Messi has never been shy to praise Martinez, who played a key role in Argentina’s World Cup win in Qatar in December 2022 and has continued to star for the national team in recent years. The man himself was delighted to pick up the award for the second straight year.

“It’s huge for me,” he said. “I always dreamed of playing one game for the national team. Coming from such a young lad to England and trying to work my way up to succeed at Aston Villa and with the national team, winning one (cap) was an honour. Back-to-back (Yashin Trophies) is something I never expected. I’m just proud to be here today. All thanks go to my family and friends.”

He added: “Sometimes when you’re on the pitch you behave in the way that you want to win the game. Off the pitch, I’m a dad, I’m a proud man, I’m a husband, I’m a son. On the pitch, I want to do everything I can to help my national team and my club, which is Aston Villa.

“We’re doing something amazing in the club, we’re moving forward. We’ve won back-to-back trophies with the national team and that’s all I care about.

“I don’t see myself as the best – there are so many good goalies I see week in, week out,” he said. I only care about group titles with the national team, with Aston Villa. I focus on myself and my goalie coaches know the work I put in every day. For me, it’s about improving myself.”