Lionel Messi won an unprecedented eighth Ballon d’Or, cementing his status as one of the greatest players of all time. The Inter Miami captain became the player with the most Ballon d’Or awards in history, with his rival, five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo, in second place.
In a brilliant showdown with France, Argentina triumphed after a 36-year World Cup drought in which Messi played a key role.
Messi was awarded the Ballon d’Or for man of the match and the Silver Boot for scoring seven goals and three assists in the tournament.
Messi beat rising star Erling Haaland, UEFA Player of the Year and winner of the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League titles with Manchester City, in a hotly contested race for the award.
Haaland has had a remarkable season, scoring 52 goals in 53 games, earning him a nomination for this year’s Ballon d’Or.
After receiving the award, Messi expressed his humility, saying he could never have imagined the extraordinary career he has enjoyed and all he has achieved. He admitted it was an honor to play for the best team in the world, believing it to be the best team in history.
He also expressed his gratitude for winning individual honours, highlighting the incredible feeling of triumphing at the Copa America and World Cup.
When asked about his next steps and the potential to play in the 2026 World Cup, Messi responded that he is not obsessed with such thoughts.
Instead, he stressed the importance of taking his career day by day and highlighted the upcoming America’s Cup in the United States in 2024. As for the World Cup, he remains noncommittal, choosing not to focus on it at this time.
Messi’s World Cup-winning team-mate Emiliano Martinez received the Lev Yashin Award for the world’s best goalkeeper, further underlining Argentina’s success on the global stage.
In the women’s category, Spanish Women’s World Cup winner and Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati won the Ballon d’Or, underscoring the growing prominence of women’s football.
The prestigious Copa Cup award for the best under-21 player was awarded to Real Madrid and England midfielder Jude Bellingham in recognition of his exceptional talent and potential in the sport.
Real Madrid player Vinicius Junior has been awarded the Socrates Prize for his outstanding humanitarian work off the pitch, underscoring the power of football to create positive change in the world.
Lionel Messi’s record-breaking eighth Ballon d’Or win is a testament to his unparalleled skills, dedication and lasting impact on the world of football. Messi’s brilliant career continues to inspire fans and athletes, and his legend is destined to be engraved in the history of football for generations to come.