2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, and now 2023 are the numbers in order. After leading Argentina to the World Cup championship in Qatar last year, the 36-year-old superstar achieved his lifelong goal and won the men’s Ballon d’Or for the eighth time, a record that is probably going to stand forever.

Messi triumphed over Kylian Mbappe, his former PSG teammate, and striker Erling Haaland, who scored 52 goals to help Man. City won a fantastic “treble” the previous season. The 36-year-old superstar gave thanks to the Argentina team, coach, and teammates for making the win possible. “I’m having a good time tonight. Through an interpreter, Messi remarked, “It is a joy that will never leave me and I hope to be able to enjoy it for many years to come.” “We have fought arduously to achieve the title of world champions. I’d like to express my gratitude to everyone who made Argentina the world champions.”

Messi also thanked the late great Diego Maradona, who died on November 25, 2020, over two years before Argentina’s team won its third world championship. Maradona was instrumental in helping Argentina win the World Cup in 1986. “This trophy and this title. Along with all of our Argentine teammates, I share them with him,” Messi continued.Messi has returned to the top of the European football scene and won the 2022 World Cup, but he was not included on the shortlist for the 2022 Golden Ball nomination a year earlier. Messi contributed to 10 goals for Argentina in Qatar, including 3 assists and 7 goals of his own. Against France in the final, he scored two goals. There is no other winner of more than five Ballons d’Or. Johan Cruyff, Marco van Basten, Michel Platini, and Cristiano Ronaldo have each won three. Messi’s last season at PSG was not particularly spectacular; despite the team’s 11th Ligue 1 victory, they were knocked out of the Champions League in the round of 16. Messi won his first trophy as soon as he moved to Inter Miami in the US last summer. It was also the first time the team had won a title in its short history. Messi inspired the US Leagues Cup. The ultimate accolade for American football was when Messi became the first player to win the Golden Ball while competing in Major League Soccer (MLS). Former Manchester United player and Inter Miami owner David Beckham gave Messi the Golden Ball. Messi said, “I am very satisfied with my decisions and sticking with Miami.”After helping Spain win the Women’s World Cup in August of last year, midfielder Aitana Bonmati was named the recipient of the Women’s Golden Ball award. She also contributed to Barcelona’s victories in the Spanish National Championship and the Women’s Champions League. This is a glaring advantage considering that Bonmati previously won the World Cup’s Best Women’s Player title and the UEFA Women’s Player of the Year award, during which she recorded three goals and two assists.Jude Bellingham was named the Best Young Player, and Haaland was named the Best Striker of the Year (the “Gerd Muller” award winner). Emiliano Martinez of Argentina won the “Lev Yashin” Award for Best Goalkeeper. Vinicius Junior received the humanitarian award named for the late Brazilian midfielder Socrates for his work with the Foundation he established for underprivileged kids. The 23-year-old Real Madrid striker, who has frequently been the victim of bigotry in La Liga, pledged to keep up the fight against racism using this forum.