Lionel Messi secured an unprecedented eighth Ballon d’Or at a star-studded ceremony in Paris in October 2023. The soccer legend, renowned for his exceptional skills and dedication, received the prestigious award for his outstanding performance at the FIFA World Cup, where he played a pivotal role in Argentina’s triumph over France in the final.
A Glitzy Night in Paris
David Beckham presented Messi with the famous golden soccer trophy; his eighth Ballon d’Or award in a glittering career. The Argentine icon has fought for the World Cup trophy for a lifetime, and an unlikely victory against pre-tournament favorites France, led by the electric Kylian Mbappe, was enough to tip the scales in Messi’s favor in France.
In response to a question about whether this Ballon d’Or mattered even more, given Argentina’s World Cup victory, Messi stated that every Ballon d’Or win is special to him. This response underscores the soccer maestro’s consistency and unrelenting devotion to soccer as an art.
Top Contenders and Final Rankings
Messi faced stiff competition from top soccer talents like Mbappe—who scored a hat-trick in the World Cup final against Messi’s Argentina—and Norway’s Erling Haaland, who won a magnificent treble of trophies with his club Manchester City.
But as always, if Messi is involved, there’s a high chance he’ll win! Will he win another? Probably not, but boy has he deserved the eight he has won so far!
Aitana Bonmati’s Triumph
Meanwhile, Spain’s Aitana Bonmati secured the Women’s Ballon d’Or after playing a crucial role in Spain’s victorious World Cup campaign.