Messi wins record eighth Ballon d'Or for best player in the world

Inter Miami's Lionel Messi after winning the men's Ballon d'Or with his sons, Thiago, Mateo and Ciro at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris on 30 October 2023.
Reuters

Argentina captain Lionel Messi won a record eighth Ballon d'Or for the best player in the world on Monday, beating Norway's UEFA player of the year and treble winner Erling Haaland of Manchester City to the prestigious prize.

Inter Miami's Messi, who last won the award in 2021, played a pivotal role in guiding Argentina to their first World Cup title in 36 years when they beat defending champions France in the final last year.

The 36-year-old is now three Ballons d'Or clear of rival Cristiano Ronaldo, who won the last of his five trophies in 2017. Messi has now finished among the top three a record 14 times in total, finishing 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 said.

Inter Miami CF's Argentine forward Lionel Messi reacts on stage with his trophy as he receives his 8th Ballon d'Or award during the 2023 Ballon d'Or France Football award ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris on 30 October 2023.
AFP

"All of them (Ballon d'Or awards) are special for different reasons," he added.

"I'm happy to get that recognition that I'm getting thanks to what we have achieved with the national team," Messi told Reuters.

"This (World Cup) title we had been aiming for for so many years makes it even more special."

Asked if he would carry on until the 2026 World Cup, Messi said: "I don't think about it. I'll enjoy (my career) day by day. There will first be the Copa America in the United States (in 2024). (The World Cup), I don't think about it."

Earlier, Messi's World Cup-winning team mate Emiliano Martinez won the Lev Yashin award for the world's best goalkeeper.

Spain's Women's World Cup winner and Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati won the women's Ballon d'Or.

"It's an individual trophy but it can't exist without a team," she told reporters.

This combination of file photographs created on 30 October 2023, shows Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi reacting as he receives the Ballon d'Or football award (top, L to R) for the year 2009 in Boulogne-Billancourt, outside Paris, on 6 December 2009; for the year 2010 in Zurich, on 10 January 2011; for the year 2011 in Zurich on 9 January 2012; for the year 2012 in Zurich on 7 January 2013; (bottom L to R) for the year 2015 in Zurich on 11 January 2016; for the year 2019 in Paris on 2 December 2019; for the year 2021 in Paris on 29 November 2021; and for the year 2023 in Paris on 30 October 2023.
AFP

Messi, who won his first Ballon d'Or in 2009 and claimed four in a row until 2012, finished second to Haaland at the UEFA awards in August.

Haaland, 23, was one of the firm favourites for his first Ballon d'Or after scoring 52 goals in 53 matches in all competitions last season as City won the Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup.

But Argentina's magical run at the World Cup in Qatar, where Messi earned the Golden Ball for best overall player and Silver Boot (seven goals and three assists), helped him pip the Norwegian striker to the award.

The World Cup was the only major trophy missing from Messi's resume as Argentina made amends for losing the 2014 final to Germany while in March he became only the third player in history to score 100 international goals.

Messi also won the Ligue 1 title with Paris St Germain before moving to Inter Miami, where he helped the Major League Soccer side win the Leagues Cup -- their first major trophy.

FC Barcelona's Aitana Bonmati poses with her trophy as she receives his Ballon d'Or award during the 2023 Ballon d'Or France Football award ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris on 30 October 2023.
Reuters

Real Madrid and England midfielder Jude Bellingham won the Kopa Trophy for the best Under-21 player, while club team mate Vinicius Jr. was awarded the Socrates Award for his humanitarian work off the pitch.