Watch: Novak Djokovic tricks YouTuber IShowSpeed with hilarious 'new AC Milan star claim' at 2023 Ballon d'Or Ceremony

Djokovic also presented the Women's Ballon d'Or trophy.

Tennis legend Novak Djokovic had a hilarious exchange with American YouTuber and streamer IShowSpeed at the 2023 Ballon d'Or ceremony. Djokovic, who is currently in France for the ATP Paris Masters, met Speed just before the Ballon d'Or gala meet and during the interaction, he managed to convince the American YouTuber that was actually AC Milan’s latest star signing.

The two crossed paths at the Ballon d'Or ceremony where Argentinian legend Lionel Messi was due to be awarded his eighth Ballon d'Or trophy.

IShowSpeed, real name, Darren Jason Watkins Jr, had no inkling of who Djokovic was when the pair met at the sidelines of the ceremony. Speed, who is known for his YouTube channel IShowSpeed, failed to identify the 24-time Grand Slam champion. Hilariously, the 18-year-old influencer did confess that the Serbian looked familiar.

However, Djokovic being the prankster that he is, introduced himself as an AC Milan footballer. "I'm a new AC Milan star," Djokovic, a record 24-time Grand Slam winner, joked. He further added "I haven't played yet but I am getting on in the next game. I am going for a hat-trick."

Watch: Novak Djokovic tricks YouTuber IShowSpeed at the 2023 Ballon d'Or ceremony

While Djokovic was just having some fun, he has publicly claimed that he is an AC Milan fan and even met Zlatan Ibrahimovic at the club facility previously. It is unknown if IShowSpeed really failed to recognise one of the greatest athletes of all-time or were they both joking about it.

Meanwhile, the men's singles World No. 1 star, handed over the women's Ballon d'Or trophy to FIFA World Cup, UEFA Women's Champions League and Primera Division winner, Aitana Bonmatí. 

Djokovic’s love for football is no secret, as he was spotted at the FIFA World Cup final in Qatar. The Argentinian team, led by Messi, beat France in the final to lift the FIFA World Cup 2022 title, Argentina's first since Mexico 1986. Messi also won the Golden Ball at the World Cup and was among the highest goalscorers in the tournament.

Messi pipped Manchester City’s UEFA Player of the Year, Erling Haaland, to win the Ballon d'Or 2023, his eighth such trophy win. The Argentinian is now three Ballons d'Or trophies clear of Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese superstar won the last of his five Ballon d'Or awards in 2017. Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham presented this year’s award to Messi. 

This was the Argentine superstar’s first time in Paris since June when he left Paris Saint-Germain and subsequently moved to Major League Soccer side Inter Miami. Messi, 36, won his first Ballon d'Or in 2009. Messi's Argentina colleague Emiliano Martinez was awarded the Yashin Trophy for Best Goalkeeper of the Season.