To celebrate his eight Ballon d’Or victories, Lionel Messi has been gifted with eight golden rings.
The record-breaking eighth Ballon d’Or win was achieved by the 36-year-old Argentinian superstar at a star-studded ceremony in Paris on Monday night, October 30.
Sportswear giant Adidas presented the Inter Miami forward with 14-carat gold rings, each representing one of Messi’s Ballon d’Or victories, and they are all set to be auctioned off.
One of the images released by Adidas shows Messi paying tribute to NBA legend Bill Russell.
In the photograph, Messi is seen with his hands between his face, adorned with the eight rings, recreating a pose by 11-time NBA championship winner Russell from an iconic photoshoot in 1996.
Considered one of the greatest players of all time, the Argentinian outshone Man City star Erling Haaland to secure this year’s Ballon d’Or award.
