Lionel Messi won the prestigious Ballon d’Or for the men’s category on Monday, a reward for his remarkable feat during last year’s World Cup.
This is the eighth time the Argentine forward has won the trophy.
He won it in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, and now 2023.
Messi, 36, was pitted against heavyweights like Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, his former PSG teammate Kylian Mbappe and Nigerian-born Napoli star Victor Osimhen, among others.
Portugal’s superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d’Or winner, was not on this year’s shortlist for the first time since 2003.
Aitana Bonmati won the women’s award for leading Spain to victory at the Women’s World Cup in August. She also helped Barcelona win the Women’s Champions League and Spanish league.
