Lionel Messi Takes Home His Eighth Ballon d'Or Trophy
France — 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, and now 2023 are on the list.
Lionel Messi, who led Argentina to the World Cup championship in Qatar last year, achieved his lifelong dream of winning the men's Ballon d'Or on Monday for a record-breaking eighth time.
The deciding element in an otherwise uneventful season at Paris Saint-Germain, by his standards, was adding to his collection of trophies the one significant trophy that escaped him in his illustrious career.
Erling Haaland of Manchester City and Kylian Mbappe, Messi's former PSG teammate, were beaten by the 36-year-old Messi.
Messi expressed gratitude to his teammates, staff, and coach from Argentina for making his victory possible.
Tonight is a fun night for me. Through a translator, Messi remarked, "It's a pleasure that will never leave me and I hope to be able to enjoy it for many years to come." The title we were lacking was world champion. I want to express my gratitude to everyone who made Argentina's team the world champion.
Messi also honored Diego Maradona, who passed away in 1986 and assisted Argentina in winning the World Cup.
Messi stated, "I share this title and this trophy with you and all of our Argentina comrades."
After leading Spain to victory in the August Women's World Cup, Aitana Bonmati was named the winner of the women's award. She also assisted Barcelona in winning the Spanish League and Women's Champions League.
Messi has regained his title a year after failing to make the 2022 Ballon d'Or shortlist and in spite of quitting elite European soccer.
He had a spectacular World Cup, which earned him the greatest individual award in the sport. Messi contributed to ten goals for Argentina in Qatar, including three assists and seven goals himself. Against France in the final, he scored twice.
Less flashy was his final season with PSG. Despite winning a record-breaking eleventh French title, PSG was eliminated in the round of 16 of the Champions title once more.
There is no other winner of more than five Ballon d'Or. Johan Cruyff, Marco van Basten, Michel Platini, and Cristiano Ronaldo each have three victories.
Messi won his first trophy in the United States after joining Inter Miami, when he led the team to the U.S. Leagues Cup championship.
