Lionel Messi with the 2023 Ballon d’Or trophy (AFP via Getty)
Lionel Messi has won the Ballon d’Or for a record eighth time in his career.
The 36-year-old reached the pinnacle of his career in December as he played an instrumental role in Argentina’s World Cup victory in Qatar.
Messi has become the first player to play for a club outside of Europe at the time of the award to win the Ballon d’Or.
Remarkably, Messi was not included in the top 50 Ballon d’Or list last year.
‘Above all I have to congratulate everyone who was nominated for this award. I have to share this award with my team-mates and everything we achieved with the national team,’ Messi said after receiving the award from David Beckham at a ceremony in Paris on Monday evening.
‘The entire group, the coaching staff and everyone involved played their part in winning the World Cup. Hats off to Erling [Haaland], Kylian [Mbappe] and Kevin [De Bruyne] for having fantastic seasons.
‘Many of you are young and have achieved so much already. There’s plenty of time left to be standing in my position.
‘I’m delighted to be here once more to enjoy this moment one more time. I achieved my dream of winning the World Cup, but I share this with all those who were involved.’
Barcelona’s Spanish midfielder Aitana Bonmati won the women’s Ballon d’Or award (AFP via Getty)
Meanwhile, Barcelona and Spain midfielder Aitana Bonmati won the women’s Ballon d’Or award.
Bonmati was part of Spain’s World Cup success in the summer and also won the Champions League with Barcelona last season.
‘I’m very proud to win the Ballon d’Or,’ Bonmati said. “Football is a collective sport so I’d like to extend this prize to my team-mates and staff.”
Chelsea striker Sam Kerr finished second in the voting, while Barcelona and Spain winger Salma Paralluelo was third, and Fridolina Rolfo of Barcelona and Sweden finished fourth.
Gary Lineker presented Erling Haaland with the Gerd Muller Trophy (Getty)
Erling Haaland won the Gerd Muller Trophy after scoring 52 goals in his debut season for Manchester City.
The Norway international set the record for the most goals scored in a single Premier League campaign with 36 goals in 35 appearances last season.
He also became the first player in the Premier League to score hat-tricks in three successive home games.
‘If I had to give one piece of advice to any young striker it is to stay hungry. To always be ready and always be in the moment,’ Haaland said.
‘To stay sharp and to want to score, to have this feeling that I had quite a few times last season. It’s an amazing feeling which is why I always want to do it more.
‘I’m always chasing this feeling.’
Jude Bellingham won the Kopa Trophy for being the best young player in the world (AP)
Real Madrid and England midfielder Jude Bellingham won the Kopa Trophy, which is given to the best young player in world football.
‘I just want to thank everyone who has played a role in my career to date, from Birmingham City, to Borussia Dortmund and now at Real Madrid,’ Bellingham said.
‘I want to thank my mum and my dad who are here tonight, my brother back home. Thank you for all the support. It means a lot and there’s more to come.
‘It’s a great list of players and it’s an honour to be in front of some of the best players in the world and the best players who have ever played the game.
‘But the most important thing for me are team trophies. I’ve now got this one but I now have to kick on and help Real Madrid and England win trophies for many years.’
Manchester City(AFP via Getty)
Meanwhile, Manchester City were crowned Men’s Club of the Year following their treble success last season.
Pep Guardiola’s side won the Premier League, the Champions League and the FA Cup in an incredible campaign.
City’s CEO Ferran Soriano said: ‘We’re very proud. The owners, the chairman, the board and everyone involved in the club are very proud.
‘We all enjoyed a very good season, but we all know that it was not the product of one season. It’s the product of a lot of hard work.
‘We’re here because of these extraordinary players, our coaches, our football director, but behind them are a lot of people who have been working at the club for a long time.
‘It’s more than a decade of hard work. It’s an honour to receive this for a second year in a row.’
Emiliano Martinez picked up the Yachin Trophy for best goalkeeper (AFP via Getty)
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Aston Villa and Argentina’s World Cup-winning goalkeeper Emi Martinez won the Yachin Trophy and was presented the award by his father.
‘Without my team-mates in the Argentina national team, this wouldn’t have been possible. Winning the World Cup was the highlight of my career,’ Martinez said.
‘This award is thanks to everyone who has played a role in my career, my family and of course my father.’
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The 36-year-old reached the pinnacle of his career in December as he played an instrumental role in Argentina’s World Cup victory.
