Lionel Messi Recognised as the Best Player in the World with Ballon d’Or Award

Winning the Ballon d’Or for the eighth time in his career, Lionel Messi has been awarded the title of Best Player in the World. With the win, the Inter Miami forward broke his own record for the most Ballon d’Or wins by any single player. This year’s award largely comes from his games with Argentina, where he led his team as captain to take home the championship for the World Cup 2022 in Qatar. This was Argentina’s first World Cup win in 36 years.

Messi beat out Erling Haaland, a striker for Manchester City, to snag the coveted prize. Haaland had been a close runner-up for the Ballon d’Or, scoring 52 goals in 53 matches and winning a treble for his dream debut season with the club. Earlier this year, Haaland was awarded Norway's UEFA Player of the Year award, with Messi in second place.

"I couldn't imagine having the career that I've had. Everything that I've achieved," Messi said after receiving the award, presented to him in Paris by Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham. "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. All of them [Ballon d'Or awards] are special for different reasons."

Earlier the same evening, Barcelona and Spain midfielder Aitana Bonmatí was awarded the Ballon d'Or Féminin. She had had a record-breaking year with her team and country, leading Spain to win the Women’s World Cup in August this year. Messi’s teammate, Emiliano Martinez from Argentina also brought home the Yachine Trophy for World’s Best Goalkeeper.