Argentina and Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi won the Men’s Ballon d’Or for a record eighth time on Monday night.
The accolade follows the 36-year-old’s biggest success which came at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, when he helped Argentina lift the title, and where he was also named Player of the Tournament after scoring seven goals.
It was the Argentine’s first-ever World Cup title, and he dominated the tournament by winning five man of the match awards, including in the final.
Messi saw off stiff competition, from Norway’s Erling Haaland and France’s Kylian Mbappe, to take the award on the stage of the Chatelet Theatre in Paris.
No current Major League Soccer player had ever won the Ballon d’Or.
Several past winners ended their careers in the United States, but Lionel Messi is the first to win the award while actively playing in the league.
Overall, Messi lifted the trophy in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019 and 2021.
Meanwhile, Spain and Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati has won the Women’s Ballon d’Or for the first time.
The 25-year-old enjoyed a hugely successful year as she helped her club triumph in the Spanish topflight and Champions League, and her country win the World Cup which was hosted in Australia and New Zealand.
She was also crowned UEFA’s player of the year in August.
Sam Kerr of Chelsea and Australia finished second, Barcelona and Spain teenager Salma Paralluelo was third.
On the other hand, England and Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham has won the Kopa Trophy for the world’s best player aged under 21.
The 20-year-old has enjoyed a stunning start to his career at Real Madrid, scoring 13 goals in his first 13 games.
