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Ballon d’ or 2023: Lionel Messi Wins Eighth Ballon d’Or Award Following World Cup Triumph in 2023
Lionel Messi won his record-breaking eighth Ballon d’Or on Monday in a lavish ceremony in Paris. The football superstar, who currently plays for Inter Miami after previously playing for Paris Saint-Germain, helped Argentina end a 36-year World Cup drought last winter by leading the South American team to a historic World Cup victory in Qatar. Messi, who is 36 years old, has won eight Ballon d’Or awards, an unprecedented number in football history.
After decades of waiting, the magic happened as Messi led Argentina to victory in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, his first overall World Cup victory and a source of happiness for La Albiceleste. In an exciting final against France that ended in a 3-3 draw after extra time, he showed off his extraordinary abilities by scoring twice. He went on to win in a penalty shootout and was named player of the match.
Messi triumphed over 26 other nominees, including talented players like Kylian Mbappe of Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City’s Erling Haaland.
In the 2022–2023 season, Messi participated in 41 games, scoring 21 goals and dishing out 20 assists as PSG won the league.
He put on outstanding performances at the World Cup in Qatar, scoring twice in the group stages and carrying on with his goal-scoring rampage in the knockout stages, including goals against Australia, the Netherlands, and Croatia, to get to the final. With seven goals, his remarkable efforts put him in second place in the all-time goal scorer standings. His remarkable campaign was recognized with the Golden Ball.
Messi thanked his fellow countrymen and all those involved on stage, expressing his happiness at realizing his dream and winning the World Cup.
Messi, one of the few nominees not currently playing in Europe, set out on a new journey with Inter Miami in the Major League Soccer after his contract with PSG expired in the summer. His remarkable career already included wins for the Ballon d’Or in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, and 2021. This accomplishment rounds out his remarkable resume. At the age of thirty-six, an eighth record award is nothing short of remarkable.
Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal, the captain of Al Nassr, is the only player behind Messi with five Ballon d’Or honors. However, he did not make the 2023 nomination list, which is the first time since 2003 that he has not been included in the running.
With seven Manchester City players in the running, including stars like Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne, and Julian Alvarez, the Premier League also received its fair share of nominations. Messi expressed gratitude to his fellow nominees for their accomplishments at such a young age.
Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, and Harry Kane of England were also nominated, broadening the pool of talent acknowledged in the competition. Aitana Bonmati of Spain, a World Cup winner, took home the fifth Ballon d’Or Féminin, while Bellingham of Real Madrid was named best young player and received the Kopa Trophy.
In conclusion, Lionel Messi’s incredible eighth victory stole the show at this year’s Ballon d’Or ceremony, which was genuinely amazing. His transformation from a 22-year-old prodigy in 2009 to an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner in 2023 is evidence of his lasting influence in the football community.
