Aitana Bonmati wins the women’s prize, while Lionel Messi extends his record by winning the eighth Ballon d’Or

Lionel Messi, who led Argentina to the World Cup championship in Qatar last year, achieved his lifelong dream of winning the men’s Ballon d’Or on Monday for a record-breaking eighth time.

2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, and now 2023 are on the list.

The deciding element in an otherwise uneventful season at Paris Saint-Germain, by his standards, was adding to his collection of trophies the one significant prize that escaped him in his illustrious career.

Erling Haaland of Manchester City and Kylian Mbappe, Messi’s former PSG colleague, were beaten by the 36-year-old Messi.

Messi expressed gratitude to his teammates, staff, and coach in Argentina for making his win possible.

Tonight is a fun night for me. Through a translator, Messi said, “It’s a pleasure that will never leave me and I hope to be able to enjoy it for many years to come.”

The title we were lacking was world champion. I want to express my gratitude to everyone who made Argentina’s squad the world champion.

Messi also honored Diego Maradona, who passed away in 1986 and assisted Argentina in winning the World Cup.

Messi said, “I share this title and this trophy with you and all of our Argentina comrades.”

After leading Spain to victory in the August Women’s World Cup, Aitana Bonmati was named the winner of the women’s award. She also contributed to Barcelona’s victories in the Spanish League and Women’s Champions League.

Messi has regained his title a year after failing to make the 2022 Ballon d’Or shortlist and in spite of quitting elite European soccer.

He had a spectacular World Cup, which earned him the greatest individual award in the sport. Messi contributed to ten goals for Argentina in Qatar, including three assists and seven goals himself. Against France in the final, he scored twice.

Less flashy was his last season with PSG. Despite winning a record-breaking eleventh French title, PSG was eliminated in the round of 16 of the Champions title once again.

There is no other winner of more than five Ballon d’Or. Johan Cruyff, Marco van Basten, Michel Platini, and Cristiano Ronaldo each have three victories.

Messi has already won his first trophy after relocating to Inter Miami, as he led the squad to the US Leagues Cup championship.

With his most recent victory, Messi became the first player from Major League Soccer to get this kind of honor. One of the owners of Messi’s new team, former Manchester United player David Beckham, gave him the trophy.

Messi said, “I’m very happy with the decisions I’ve made and to be with Miami.”

He was Karim Benzema’s successor.

After scoring a hat trick in the World Cup final, Mbappe thought another Frenchman would take home the Ballon d’Or, even though France ultimately lost in a penalty shootout.

Haaland scored 52 goals and guided City to three titles last season: the FA Cup, the English Premier League, and the Champions League.

Aitana Bonmati had previously won the Golden Ball for the best player in the Women’s World Cup and the UEFA Best Women’s Player award. During the competition, she had three goals and two assists.

She emulated Alexia Putellas, a colleague who had won the previous two awards.

Sam Kerr and Salma Paralluelo lost to Bonmati.

“Football is a passion in our country,” Bonmati said. “Spain has a special talent.”

Last year was the first year that the trophy given out by France Football magazine was determined by performance from the previous year. In the past, it was given out according on how well a person performed over a certain year. In 1956, Stanley Matthews took home the first Ballon d’Or.

The epidemic caused both of the awards, which were founded in 2018 for women, to be canceled in 2020.

Haaland was named the year’s finest striker by the Gerd Müller Award, while Jude Bellingham was named the best under-21 player.

Emiliano Martinez won the Lev Yashin Award for outstanding goalie. The crowd at the Theatre du Chatelet, which featured Mbappe and France coach Didier Deschamps, showered the Argentina goalie with jeers and whistles in addition to his prize.

Martinez faced criticism for his extravagant manner of celebrating the World Cup. As Argentina walked the trophy home, he stood next to teammate Messi, carrying a toy with Mbappe’s face. After receiving the Golden Glove trophy for best goalkeeper, Martinez was caught on camera making a vulgar gesture and making fun of Mbappe in the team changing room.