On Monday, Lionel Messi was awarded the Ballon d´Or for the eighth time, this took place in a Paris Football Award celebration on October 30, 2023. A record-breaking eighth time, after leading Argentina to victory in the World Cup in Qatar last year and adding to his collection of silver awards.
Messi, 36, was presented with the award by his Argentine coach, teammates, and staff. “This is a moment I will never forget and I hope to enjoy for a long time to come,” he said through an interpreter. “To all those who helped Argentina become the world champion team, I want to thank you all.”
News.ng also gathered that the award was presented to Messi, who previously won the Best Player of the Year for the second time in 2021, and was joined on the list by Manchester City captain Sergio Aguero, former PSG teammate Henrikh Mkhitaryan, and his former club, Barcelona. Messi had earlier won the Balloon d’Or in (2009), (2010), (2011), (2012), (2015), (2019), (2021), and now in (2023) making it the eighth time in his football career.
In a tribute to Maradona and Argentina, who also won the World Cup in 1986, Messi said he shared the title and trophy with “all of our Argentine brothers and sisters.” Bonmati, who led Spain to victory in the Women’s World Cup last August, won the women’s award.
Messi won his 8th Ballon d’Or in his final season with Paris Saint-Germain FC, although PSG missed out in the Champions League round of 16 for the second time in a row. No player has won eight Ballons d’Or, with Cristiano Ronaldo winning five, followed by three-time winner Michel Platini.
Since relocating to the United States to play for Inter Miami, Messi has already won his first trophy in Miami by leading the club to victory in the United States Leagues Cup. It was the first time a player from a Major League Soccer club had won such a trophy.
The trophy was presented to Messi by David Beckham, one of the club’s owners. “I am very proud of the choices I have made and to be in Miami,” Messi said.
