Isaac Darko
September 23, 2023 at 11:01 AM
Lionel Messi has had his beard shavenThe Argentine often does it before the Ballon d’Or ceremonies This year’s Ballon d’Or gala will take place on October 30
Lionel Messi made his comeback to Inter Miami training with a freshly shaven appearance, bidding farewell to his iconic lucky beard.
The Argentine football superstar rejoined team training this week after the international break.
However, it was his smooth, clean-shaven transformation that sent social media into a frenzy.
Lionel Messi has always shaved his beard before winning the Ballon d’Or. Photo by Thomas Samson
Source: Getty Images
While Messi typically flaunts a classic bearded look, this new, polished style has rejuvenated his appearance, making him appear youthful once more.
Messi has decided to go clean-shaven for the first time since his Paris Saint-Germain days in 2021, just before the Ballon d’Or presentation.
Has Messi shaved his beard for the Ballon d’Or photoshoot?
There are several compelling reasons to consider this as a possibility.
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In 2021, following a stellar season with Barcelona, where he helped secure the Copa del Rey, and after Argentina’s victory in the 2021 Copa America, Messi arrived in Paris as a prominent contender for the Ballon d’Or.
A few weeks before Messi was revealed as the winner that year, he seemingly missed a training session with the club due to ‘medical reasons’ and returned the following day with a clean-shaven appearance.
This change in his look appeared to be in preparation for the annual Ballon d’Or winner photoshoot.
In the same year, just two days before the award ceremony in late November, Messi was spotted with yet another clean-shaven look.
This year, once again a leading candidate for the 2023 Ballon d’Or, given his victory in Ligue 1 and the World Cup with Argentina, Messi didn’t feature in Inter Miami’s away loss against Atlanta United on Sunday, despite his recent return.
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He was seen at Monday’s training session with the club, once more sporting a clean-shaven look.
Is this a clear indication of the winner on October 30th, or simply another intriguing fan theory?