Who ring it best? Lionel Messi, Tom Brady or Michael Jordan? After Argentina’s football icon joins sports greats in taking epic photo with championship rings following eighth Ballon d’Or win

Lionel Messi picked up his eighth Ballon d’Or title, winning the men’s prize at the 2023 ceremony after his excellent season.

The Argentinian led his country to World Cup glory by beating France on penalties in the final last year.

He also scored an impressive 32 goals in 55 appearances in all competitions for PSG, helping the side win the Ligue 1 title. The forward moved to Inter Miami in the MLS this summer and has already had a successful start to life in America, helping the side win the Leagues Cup against Nashville.

In addition to winning another Ballon d’Or, the forward also received eight gold rings.

The Inter Miami striker received the 14-carat gold rings from sportswear giant Adidas. Each ring, which will reportedly be auctioned, symbolizes one of Messi’s Ballon d’Or wins.

Lionel Messi won his eighth Ballon d’Or title in Paris on Monday evening

Lionel Messi has received eight gold rings from Adidas on the occasion of his eighth Ballon d’Or

They include an inscription relating to memorable moments from Messi’s career, including one with three stars in honor of Argentina’s World Cup victories and another with the number ’91’ to mark his record number of goals in a calendar year.

Each ring represents the following:

• 2009: “El Beso” – a tribute to Messi’s celebration of Barcelona’s Champions League victory over Manchester United
• 2010: “Apunta Al Cielo” – in tribute to his mystical festival dedicated to his grandmother Celia
• 2011: “GOAT” – the figure of Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering Barcelona team
• 2012: “91” – for the number of goals scored in a calendar year, a record.
• 2015: On the occasion of his last Champions League title. He won four in total for Barca
• 2019: For obtaining his last Golden Boot. His total of six is ​​a record
• 2021: “South American Champion” for winning the Copa América, as MVP and top scorer.
• 2023: The three stars, in honor of Argentina’s three World Cups.

“It’s nice to be here again and enjoy this moment,” Messi said. ‘To be able to win the World Cup and make my dream come true.’

He replicated a similar pose of 11-time NBA championship winner Russell from an iconic photo shoot in 1996. While Messi is pictured with the eight rings, the football icon joins many sports greats to take an epic photo with championship rings.

In October, Tom Brady took to Instagram to celebrate the Las Vegas Aces’ victory in the WNBA Finals, adding another championship ring to his collection.

The Aces defeated the New York Liberty 70-69 in a Game 4 thriller to win their second straight title — less than a month after Brady was officially approved as the team’s minority owner.

The title is the eighth that Brady has been involved in after winning seven bowls (six with the Patriots, one with the Buccaneers) in the NFL.

One photo of Messi appears to be a tribute to NBA legend Bill Russell (right)

Tom Brady won his seventh championship ring with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after they defeated Kansas City Chiefs in 2021

Shortly after, the former NFL star took to Instagram to show off his ring collection

Brady added an eighth ring to his winnings after the Las Vegas Aces won this year’s WNBA Finals against the New York Liberty

His last Super Bowl success came in 2021, when he won the title with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after they defeated the Kansas City Chiefs.

Shortly after winning his last Super Bowl title, Brady showed off his collection of championship rings.

On Instagram, Brady posted, “How It Started vs. How It Goes,” posting a photo from his early playing days for the New England Patriots, along with a photo of him wearing all seven rings.

One of the best quarterbacks to ever play the game retired from football earlier this year.

Former NBA icon Michael Jordan won all six of his championship rings with the Chicago Bulls

Former NBA star Michael Jordan won all six of his championship rings with the Chicago Bulls. He is considered by many to be the greatest basketball player of all time.

Jordan went to six NBA Finals during his career and won them all in dominant fashion, with each game never having to go to a seventh game. His six NBA championships are among the most by any player in the sport.

It has been reported that each ring is worth around £123,000 ($150,000), with all six worth almost a million.

After a stellar career with the Bulls and Washington Wizards, Jordan decided to retire in 2003.