Lionel Messi has won the Ballon d’Or for a record extending eighth time, seeing off competition from Erling Haaland.
The Argentine, Lionel Messi, was rewarded after leading his nation to the World Cup in Qatar less than a year ago. Messi had won the Copa America 12 months earlier and followed it up by finally delivering on the global stage as the South Americans beat France in a sensational final.
Messi scored twice in the final, taking his individual tally for the tournament to seven. The 36-year-old was named the World Cup’s best player for a second time, the first in 2014, and his individual brilliance has been recognized once again with the Golden Ball in Paris.
The Argentine paid tribute to Diego Maradona in his victory speech on what would’ve been his 63rd birthday and said: “Wherever you are, this is also for you. Happy birthday, Diego.”
Messi was able to finally emulate his hero in Qatar and added: “I’m delighted to be here to enjoy this moment, one more time. To be able to win the World Cup and achieve my dream”.
He also added: “To share this with my team-mates, what we were able to achieve with the national team. I want to thank the entire group, the coaching staff, everyone involved. Hats off to Kylian, Erling and Kevin – you guys are very young and you’ve achieved so much already.”
Messi was later joined by his three children on stage and continued: “I couldn’t imagine having the career I’ve had and everything I’ve achieved, the fortune I’ve had to be part of the best team in history”.
The forward, who recently ended his club career in Europe by signing for MLS outfit Inter Miami, has now won three of the last four Ballon d’Ors. Last year he saw Karim Benzema assume the mantle from him but has now claimed it back for what many believe will be the final time.
Messi scored 21 times in 41 outings in his second and last season with PSG as they continued their domestic dominance, but once again they fell short in Europe. The Argentine’s most recent Ballon d’Or comes some 14 years after he won his first whilst at Barcelona.
The Argentine became the first and only man to win the Golden Ball on four successive occasions with that run beginning in 2009 as the Catalans became Europe’s dominant force. He won another in 2015 after leading Barcelona to the treble before adding to his haul in 2019 and 2021.
Manchester City’s Haaland was tipped to be Messi’s closest competitor after his record breaking year in the Premier League, which saw him smash numerous records. The Norwegian’s goals helped fire Pep Guardiola’s side to the treble – becoming only the second English side in history to do so.
Haaland finished second, ahead of Kylian Mbappe, who was the top scorer at the World Cup in Qatar. Kevin De Bruyne, the driving force in City’s midfield and Haaland’s most regular supplier of goals, ended up coming fourth as Guardiola’s side dominated the top ten.
Rodri, scorer of the winning goal in the Champions League final made the top ten as did his City colleague Julian Alvarez. The young Argentine celebrated the treble just months after revelling in World Cup glory alongside Messi.