Leo Messi collected the award recognizing him as the player with the most titles in the history of soccer from Juan Ignacio Gallardo, director of MARCA, and Jorge Mas, owner of Inter Miami. The Argentine star expressed his gratitude for the award.
"We already have a long-standing relationship with MARCA. They were very good to choose an Argentine and a Catalan. They are my two homes. It's where I'm happy. But today we are also in a place where we are very happy. Without knowing me, they were very right."
The Chase Stadium was the venue for the award ceremony. Numerous personalities gathered to honor Messi as the champion of champions: 46 collective titles and 56 individual titles adorn an almost unattainable list of honors.
"I saw pictures of my first trophy as a kid, but I don't remember it. Surely, like some of my children, I wasn't aware of everything that was to come. I enjoyed soccer from a very young age. It's my passion.
"I don't count titles. Mostly the individual ones. It was spectacular to see the video. A lot of things go through my head. We've also had some difficult moments. Not everything is pretty. The disappointments helped me to grow".
"I love playing soccer. I was recently in a packed Monumental with Argentina, chanting my name and that of my teammates. I've been through a lot of bad times with Argentina and I'm grateful for the moment I'm living now. I'm taking advantage of it because time is running out. The love I have for this sport is very great. We came here to make this club bigger, I didn't come here to retire. We are lucky to win so many titles."
"Thank you very much for this recognition, both the work and the drawing. I know it was with great affection because of what they told me and we are going to find a little place for it because it deserves it".
"I was able to fulfill all my dreams and achieved many more than I dreamed of as a kid. God gave it to me. I was able to achieve the biggest dream of a player, which is a World Cup. I won many titles in the club of my life, which is Barcelona. I also won in Paris and now with Inter. I'm fighting to continue to achieve many more things".
"Things pass by and I don't get ahead of myself. I try to enjoy day by day. When the time comes we'll see, I don't like to accelerate times. I hope I can continue to perform at this level to feel good and be happy. That's more important to me than whether I'm going to make it or not.
"Our children will reproach me for not being here. Now they understand everything. I love what I do. I enjoy being on the field. The other day I enjoyed the Monumental chanting my name and that's the best. I have fought hard for this moment to come and I enjoy it more than ever. When the end is near... you value many more things. Coming here was not a retirement. It was to make a very new club great. We are close to continuing to win titles."
MARCA, Spain's premier sports media outlet, which recently expanded to the U.S., honored international soccer legend Lionel Messi today with the inaugural MARCA America Award at an unforgettable ceremony at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale. Messi was chosen as the first recipient of the award in recognition of his unparalleled achievements and contributions to soccer. The celebration brought together teammates, administrators, local business leaders, and media.
"Lionel represents the pinnacle of excellence in sports," said Juan Ignacio Gallardo, Director of MARCA. "Today, we honor him as the player with the most individual and team titles in the history of soccer—a true champion of champions, with a record that I am certain will never be surpassed. It is only fitting that he is the first recipient of the MARCA America Award. Messi embodies what it means to be a champion, both on and off the field."
Among the guests were Messi's wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, Inter Miami CF executives and players, including managing owner Jorge Mas Santos, and esteemed business leaders. Attendees took photos, mingled, and expressed their genuine affection for Messi, widely regarded as one of the greatest players in soccer history and a global symbol of inspiration.
During the celebration, Gallardo, a close friend of Messi, conducted a compelling interview with the superstar, in which Messi shared his journey from Rosario, Argentina to global superstardom, his legacy, and future.
"I've loved the game of soccer since I was three years old," shared Lionel Messi. "I've been fortunate to win many trophies with my teams over the years, and getting to this point has been a blessing. My goal is to keep playing and winning. Thank you to MARCA for this recognition and award. I know it was presented with much love and from the heart, so thank you."
MARCA is Spain's leader in sports journalism and a global benchmark. Since 1938, it has chronicled international sports and is regarded as the world's most comprehensive sports newspaper. With its U.S. expansion, MARCA now covers Major League Soccer, UFC, boxing, the NFL, MLB, and NBA, continuing its legacy of excellence.
