Messi Seals Record-Breaking Eighth Ballon d’Or Crown
- Says future belongs to Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe
What a crowning glory for Argentine superstar, Lionel Messi. For helping his South American nation to win the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, he has been awarded the Ballon d’Or for a record eighth time in his illustrious career.
In an exquisite ceremony held in the French capital, Paris on Monday evening, the former FC Barcelona great was on the podium to smile home with the Golden Ball once again.
And in celebrating the achievement, the Inter Miami idol sent a heartwarming message to his competitors, Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe, tipping the duo to go on and win the prestigious award one day.
Magnanimous in victory, the Argentine football icon acknowledged that the Norwegian forward could have won the award this year after a very successful maiden and treble winning campaign with Manchester City.
According to Messi, in his acceptance speech, “Haaland and Mbappe will win the Ballon d’Or one day”.
“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 made the remarks against the backdrop of Haaland’s outstanding performance that saw him scoring an incredible 52 goals during the 2022/23 season for the Cityzens and helping them win the treble for the first time in the club’s history.
Additionally, he emerged the top scorer in both the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League.
Similarly, Mbappe, who finished third on the podium, also enjoyed outstanding season in front of goal as he netted 55 times for club and country in the last campaign.
The Frenchman won the World Cup Golden Boot and lifted the Ligue 1 title with Paris Saint-Germain.
With Inter Miami failing to make the MLS play-offs, the 36-year-old Argentine national team captain is expected to now enjoy a much-needed break with his family following the Ballon d’Or triumph.
In the women’s category, Spain’s Aitana Bonmati, who also won the World Cup, bagged the fifth edition of the Ballon d’Or Feminin while in-form Real Madrid’s midfielder, Jude Bellingham, was named the best young player and awarded the Kopa Trophy.
All The Award Winners
Aitana Bonmatí – Ballon d’Or Féminin
Jude Bellingham – Kopa Trophy
Vinicius Junior – Socrates Award
Erling Haaland – Gerd Müller Trophy
Emiliano Martínez – Yashin Trophy
Lionel Messi – Ballon d’Or
Manchester City FC – Club of the year
FC Barcelona Femení – Women’s Club of the Year
