Lionel Messi’s Unstoppable Reign With His Eight Ballon d’Or Triumph
Lionel Messi has done it again. He has won his eighth Ballon d’Or award, securing his status as the greatest soccer player of all time.
After winning the World Cup with Argentina last year, Messi has now added another individual accomplishment to his trophy cabinet. Messi’s latest Ballon d’Or win is an example of his incredible consistency and dominance in soccer over the past decade. Previously, the soccer player has won the award in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, and now 2023.
At 36 years old, the Argentinian athlete won ahead of Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and his former PSG teammate Kylian Mbappe.
In his acceptance speech, Messi thanked his Argentina coach, teammates, and staff for making his victory possible. Also, he dedicated the award to his family and fans. “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 stated. “Becoming world champion was the title we were missing. I’d like to thank everyone who helped make Argentina the world champion team.”
“This title and this trophy,” Messi continued, “I share them with you and all our Argentina comrades.”
Messi’s World Cup performance in Qatar’s World Cup, where he scored seven goals and assisted three, earned him the sport’s biggest individual prize. He also scored twice in the final against France.
The Argentinian’s final season with PSG was less successful. His team won another French league title, but they crashed out of the Champions League in the round of 16. However, this wasn’t like Messi’s previous seasons, where he had won the Ballon d’Or four times in five years.
Only four players have won the Ballon d’Or more than five times, and Lionel Messi is the only one who has won more than seven. Cristiano Ronaldo has won the Ballon d’Or five times, and Michel Platini, Johan Cruyff, and Marco van Basten each have won it three times.
Messi’s move to Inter Miami has already led his new club to victory in the U.S. Leagues Cup. This marks the first time a Major League Soccer player has won the award. Messi is now the most-awarded player in soccer history.
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