Lionel Messi secured a record-extending eighth Ballon d’Or on Monday in the annual soccer awards honoring top players in both men’s and women’s football.
Messi, who initially won the Ballon d’Or in 2009, claimed this year’s award in Paris. This triumph followed his role as the captain of Argentina’s World Cup-winning team at the close of the preceding year, marking the most significant achievement of his career to date.
The former Barcelona icon outpaced Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and his former Paris Saint-Germain teammate, Kylian Mbappé, in the voting.
Messi, as he received his Ballon d’Or from David Beckham, co-owner of Inter Miami and former England great, expressed his gratitude“I never imagined having the career that I’ve had. I’ve had the luck, thank God, to have achieved all my goals, to have achieved everything in football which is very difficult.”
Messi acknowledged the significance of his time with Barcelona in amassing titles and individual awards, describing it as “the best team in the world, the best team in history,” and credited this for making his achievements easier.
He also touched upon his struggles with the Argentina national team, emphasizing his unwavering commitment to overcoming challenges.
He referred to his tough moments with the national team, including thoughts of retiring after Argentina’s heartbreaking loss in the 2016 Copa América final.
He proudly stated, “I never dropped my arms, I kept on fighting to be able to achieve the Copa América [in 2021], to win the World Cup, and I’m very proud to have not been stuck in simply trying and having been able to achieve it.”
Messi concluded by paying tribute to the late Diego Maradona, another Argentine football legend, whose birthday it was that day.
He wished Maradona a happy birthday, emphasizing the special connection between football enthusiasts and the iconic figure: “This [award] is also for you, I share it with you and with all of Argentina.”
Full list of 2023 award winners
Men’s Ballon d’Or
Lionel Messi, Inter Miami and Argentina
Ballon d’Or Féminin
Aitana Bonmatí, Barcelona and Spain
Gerd Müller Trophy (Best Striker)
Erling Haaland, Manchester City and Norway
Yashin Trophy (Best Goalkeeper)
Emiliano Martínez, Aston Villa and Argentina
Kopa Trophy (Best Player Under 21)
Jude Bellingham, Borussia Dortmund/Real Madrid and England
Socrates Award (Awarded for recognition of humanitarian work)
Vinícius Jr., Real Madrid and Brazil
Men’s Club of the Year
Manchester City
Women’s Club of the Year
Barcelona Femení
Source-CNN
