Paris, October 30 - Lionel Messi, the revered Argentine footballer, claimed his record-extending eighth Ballon d'Or award for the world's best player on Monday, solidifying his place in football history. In an intense competition, Messi triumphed over formidable challengers, including Erling Haaland, the Norwegian star, who recently achieved UEFA Player of the Year honors and secured a treble with Manchester City.
At 36 years old, Messi now stands three Ballons d'Or ahead of his longtime rival Cristiano Ronaldo, who last clinched the prestigious title in 2017. Impressively, Messi has not only won the Ballon d'Or a record eight times but has also consistently ranked among the top three players 14 times, finishing as the runner-up on five occasions.
"I couldn’t imagine having the career that I’ve had. Everything that I’ve achieved. The fortune I’ve had playing for the best team in the world, the best team in history. It’s nice to win these individual trophies. To win the Copa America and then the World Cup, to get it done is amazing," Messi expressed with humility and gratitude. He added, "All of them (Ballon d'Or awards) are special for different reasons."
Teammate Emiliano Martinez, part of Argentina's triumphant World Cup squad, was honored with the Lev Yashin award as the world's best goalkeeper. Meanwhile, Aitana Bonmati, a Women's World Cup winner from Spain and a Barcelona midfielder, secured the women's Ballon d'Or.
Despite Haaland's remarkable 52 goals in 53 matches during the previous season, helping City to secure the Champions League, Premier League, and FA Cup, Messi's phenomenal performance during the World Cup in Qatar was pivotal in claiming this prestigious award. Messi earned the Golden Ball for the best overall player and Silver Boot, tallying seven goals and three assists. The World Cup victory was a significant addition to Messi's illustrious career, filling the only major trophy gap in his remarkable journey.
Notably, Messi reached the remarkable milestone of 100 international goals earlier this year, becoming only the third player in history to achieve this feat. He also tasted success with Paris St Germain by securing the Ligue 1 title before moving to Inter Miami, where he played a crucial role in the team's victory in the Leagues Cup, marking their first major trophy.
In other honors, Jude Bellingham, the talented midfielder from Real Madrid and the England national team, was awarded the Kopa Trophy for the best Under-21 player, showcasing his emerging talent. Additionally, Vinicius Jr., Bellingham's club teammate, received the Socrates Award in recognition of his significant humanitarian work off the pitch, demonstrating that football transcends the field in making a positive impact on the world.
