The Ballon d’Or is an annual football award presented by French news magazine France Football since 1956. Between 2010 and 2015, in an agreement with FIFA, the award was temporarily merged with the FIFA World Player of the Year (founded in 1991) and known as the FIFA Ballon d’Or.
Inter Miami star Lionel Messi has won the Ballon d’Or for an astonishing eighth time, fending off competition from Manchester City striker Erling Haaland and Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe.
The Argentine legend was rewarded for his vital role in Argentina’s World Cup triumph in Qatar, where he scored seven goals and provided three assists in seven games, including a brace in the final against France.
He also helped Inter Miami win the Ligue 1 title in his first season in the United States, scoring 25 goals and setting up 18 more in 32 appearances.
Messi, who left PSG in the summer of 2023 after two seasons, received the prestigious award at a gala ceremony in Paris on Monday night.
He thanked his teammates, coaches, family and fans for their support and said he was honoured to win the Ballon d’Or for the eighth time.
“I’m very happy and grateful for this recognition. It’s a huge honour to receive the Ballon d’Or again, especially in a World Cup year, which is always very special,” Messi said.
“I want to share this award with all the people who helped me achieve this, especially my teammates from Argentina and Inter Miami, who gave everything on the pitch. I also want to thank my coaches, my family, my friends and all the fans who always support me and show me their love.”
Messi, who turns 36 in June, said he still has the motivation and passion to keep playing at the highest level and hopes to win more trophies with Inter Miami and Argentina.
“I still enjoy playing football as much as I did when I was a kid. I love this sport and I want to keep giving my best for my club and my country. I have many dreams and goals to accomplish, and I hope I can do it with the help of God and the people who are with me,” he said.
Messi beat Haaland, who finished second in the voting, despite the Norwegian’s sensational season with Manchester City, where he won the treble and broke all sorts of records, including the most goals in a Premier League season by any player (38).
Mbappe, who became only the second man to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final and the first since 1966, came third, while Messi’s former teammate Kevin De Bruyne and City’s defensive midfielder Rodri completed the top five.
The Ballon d’Or Feminin was won by Aitana Bonmati, who starred for Barcelona Femeni and Spain, while the Kopa Trophy for the best male U-21 player went to Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham. The Yachine Trophy for the best male goalkeeper was awarded to Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez, who also shone for Argentina at the World Cup.
source: espn.com, sportingnews.com3, sportstar.thehindu.com, marca.com