Lionel Messi has won the men’s Ballon d’Or, soccer’s biggest individual prize, for a record-extending eighth time.
After missing out on the trophy in 2022, Messi, who is widely regarded as the best soccer player ever, reclaimed the title as the current best in the world on Monday, adding to his storied career.
"Tonight I’m enjoying myself. It’s a pleasure that will never leave me, and I hope to be able to enjoy it for many years to come," Messi said in his acceptance speech through a translator.
Messi won the trophy in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, and now 2023.
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The 36-year-old Messi won ahead of Manchester City forward Erling Haaland, a 23-year-old Norwegian star who is dominating the English Premier League, England’s top soccer competition. Haaland, who is called a goal-scoring machine, has averaged more than one goal per game in his 45 matches this season. He also scored 36 goals in 35 appearances during 2022, his debut year, setting a league record.
Other contenders for the top title included Messi’s former teammate at Paris Saint-Germain, the 24-year-old French sensation Kylian Mbappé, who helped carry France to the 2022 World Cup finals.
Messi tipped his proverbial cap to both rising stars, saying they deserve the title and will win it too "one day."
"Haaland and Mbappe will win the Ballon d’Or one day," Messi said. "Erling deserved it very much too, he has won the Premier League, and Champions League while being the top scorer of everything. This award could have been yours today too. I’m sure in the next years you will win it."
Messi’s historic eighth Ballon d’Or comes he after captured his first World Cup title in Qatar last year after leading Argentina to a victory over France.
Since moving to Inter Miami in the United States, Messi has already picked up his first silverware after inspiring the team to victory in the U.S. Leagues Cup.
Messi's latest win marked the first time a Major League Soccer-based player got such recognition. Messi received the trophy from former Manchester United star David Beckham, who is one of the owners of his new club.
"I’m very happy with the decisions I’ve made and to be with Miami," Messi said.
During Monday’s acceptance speech, Messi thanked his Argentina coach, teammates and staff for making his victory possible.
"Becoming world champion was the title we were missing. I’d like to thank everyone who helped make Argentina the world champion team, the soccer star said.
He won the sport’s biggest individual prize due to his tremendous World Cup performance, where he scored seven goals for Argentina and assisted in three. He scored twice in the final against France.
Messi also paid tribute to the late Diego Maradona, who also helped Argentina win the World Cup back in 1986.
"This title and this trophy," Messi said, "I share them with you and all our Argentina comrades."
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Aitana Bonmati won the women’s award for guiding Spain to victory at the Women’s World Cup in August. She also helped Barcelona win the Women's Champions League and Spanish league.
As far as the Ballon d’Or goes, no other player has ever won more than five times.
Cristiano Ronaldo, the famed Portuguese striker who is often included in the greatest-of-all-time conversation, has won the trophy five times while Michel Platin, Johan Cruyff and Marco van Basten each won it three times.
In other awards, the best under-21 player was Jude Bellingham, an English player on La Liga club Real Madrid, and Haaland won the Gerd Müller award for the best striker of the year. Real Madrid's Karim Benzema won the Ballon d'Or in 2022.
The Lev Yashin award for best goalkeeper went to Emiliano Martinez, an Argentinian who plays for the Premier League club Aston Villa and the Argentina national team.
The humanitarian prize named after the late Brazil midfielder Socrates went to Vinicius Junior, a Real Madrid player, for his involvement in the foundation he set up for underprivileged children.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
