Messi Wins Record 8th Ballon d'Or, Bonmati Claims Women's Award

Lionel Messi wins record eighth Ballon d'Or, dedicates it to Argentina and tribute to Maradona. Aitana Bonmati claims women's award.

Lionel Messi, the Argentine soccer legend, has once again claimed the prestigious Ballon d'Or award, marking his record-extending eighth win. This recognition comes as a result of his exceptional performance at the Qatar World Cup last year, where he led Argentina to victory, scoring an impressive seven goals and being named the tournament's best player.

Messi's dominance in the world of football is evident through his numerous Ballon d'Or wins, which include the years 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, and now 2023. Reflecting on his achievement, Messi humbly acknowledged his teammates, stating, "This is a gift to the whole Argentina team for what we achieved. Becoming world champion was the title we were missing. I'd like to thank everyone who helped make Argentina the world champion team."

In a touching gesture, Messi dedicated his latest Ballon d'Or trophy to the late Diego Maradona, a legendary Argentine footballer who passed away in 2020. Maradona, who would have celebrated his 63rd birthday on the same day as the award ceremony, holds a special place in Messi's heart. "Happy birthday Diego. This is for you too," Messi expressed, paying tribute to his idol.

The second spot in the Ballon d'Or rankings was claimed by Erling Haaland, the Norwegian forward who had an outstanding season. Haaland's achievements include winning the UEFA Champions League, Premier League, and FA Cup titles with Manchester City. Following closely behind Haaland was Kylian Mbappe, the golden boot winner of the Qatar World Cup.

In the women's category, Aitana Bonmati, hailing from Spain, emerged as the recipient of the Ballon d'Or. Bonmati's remarkable performance led Spain to their first Women's World Cup title in August, earning her this well-deserved recognition. Sam Kerr from Australia and Salma Paralluelo, also from Spain, secured the second and third positions, respectively.

The awards ceremony also acknowledged other exceptional talents in the football world. England's Jude Bellingham was named the best under-21 player, showcasing his immense potential. Haaland, in addition to his second-place finish, was honored as the best striker of the year. Messi's national team teammate, Emiliano Martinez, was recognized as the best goalkeeper, receiving the Lev Yashin Award.

The Ballon d'Or ceremony was a celebration of the extraordinary skills and achievements of these football icons. It highlighted their contributions to the sport and their respective teams, showcasing the remarkable talent and dedication that exists within the world of soccer.