Inter Miami CF star Lionel Messi has won the Ballon d’Or for the eighth time, beating Manchester City striker Erling Haaland after leading Argentina to last year’s World Cup.
Messi became the first MLS player to win the award, although the win was largely due to his exploits with his country in Qatar.
Former Manchester United player and Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham presented the award to Messi in Paris.
Haaland, who scored 52 goals last season as City won the Treble in 2022-23, finished second in the voting and won the Gerd Muller Trophy awarded to the best striker of the year.
“I couldn’t have imagined having a career like the one I’ve had. Everything I’ve achieved,” said Messi after receiving his award.
“The luck I had was playing for the best team in the world, the best team in history. It feels great to win this individual trophy.”
“Winning the Copa America and then the World Cup, to finish that off was incredible. All of them [the Ballon d’Or awards] are special for different reasons.”
Before Messi received his award, Barcelona and Spain midfielder Aitana Bonmatí won the Ballon d’Or Féminin after a record-breaking year with club and country.
He helped Barca win the F League and Champions League last season, before leading Spain to World Cup glory in the summer.
In other awards handed out on Monday, Messi’s Argentina teammate Emiliano Martinez won the Yashin Trophy for best goalkeeper and England and Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham was awarded the Kopa Trophy as the world’s top player under the age of 21.
In his acceptance speech, Messi wished his Argentinian compatriot Diego Maradona a happy birthday.
The 1986 World Cup winner, who died on November 22 2020, would have been 63 on Monday.
“My final mention is for Diego [Maradona],” Messi said.
“Today is his birthday. So I want to remember him from here, surrounded by the best players, coaches and people who loved football as much as he did.
“Wherever you are, Diego, happy birthday. This is for you too.”
Even before Monday’s ceremony in Paris, no player had won more Ballons d’Or than Messi, who first won it in 2009 and then in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019 and 2021.
