Lionel Messi wins eighth Ballon d'Or and builds on his record

Record holder Lioneel Messi has won his eighth Ballon d’Or. The 36-year-old Inter Miami CF star also became the first active Major League Soccer player when he was officially unveiled as the winner at the awards held in Paris. The Argentine won the trophy ahead of Erling Haaland (Manchester City) and Kylian Mbappé (Paris Saint-Germain). 

Until last summer, Messi played for Paris Saint-Germain, where he scored 21 goals and 20 assists in 41 games across all competitions. With PSG, Messi won the Ligue 1 and was eliminated by Bayern Munich in the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League. But his true crowning moment was winning the 2022 World Cup last December with Argentina. The triumph in Qatar was the third title for the Albiceleste after 1978 and 1986. 

Following the final, which Argentina won 7-5 on penalties against France, Messi was voted the player of the tournament. Together with Mbappé, Messi was also the top scorer (both were directly involved in ten goals). 

Ballon d’Or: Bonmatí honored – Bellingham best young player

Barcelona star Aitana Bonmatí was awarded the Ballon d’Or as the best female player. Jude Bellingham was awarded the trophy as the best U21 player. The Englishman scored 14 goals and seven assists in 42 games for Borussia Dortmund and has been sensational ever since joining Real Madrid. Bellingham won ahead of Jamal Musiala (Bayern) and Pedri (Barcelona). The Yashin Trophy for the best goalkeeper was awarded to Aston Villa and Argentina national team player Emiliano Martínez.