Lionel Messi secured his eighth Ballon d’Or award during Monday’s prestigious ceremony held in Paris. The 36-year-old football icon was graciously presented with the accolade by David Beckham, the former England captain and current president of Inter Miami.
Messi’s remarkable Ballon d’Or journey, marked by previous victories in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, and 2021, now positions him with an impressive three more titles than any other player in the history of soccer. A select group of just 10 individuals have achieved the distinction of winning the Ballon d’Or more than once, with Cristiano Ronaldo, a five-time winner, being the only other player besides Messi to have captured the award on more than three occasions.
The awards ceremony saw Messi in the company of his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, along with their three children. Additionally, Messi’s bodyguard from Miami, Yassine Cheuko, was in attendance, further enhancing the momentous occasion.
Erling Haaland emerged as Lionel Messi’s primary contender for the 2023 Ballon d’Or, ultimately securing the second position in the rankings. The selection process involved a vote cast by 100 journalists, with each journalist representing one of the top 100 FIFA-ranked nations.
These esteemed journalists were tasked with evaluating the players’ performances and accomplishments during the period spanning from August 1, 2022, to July 31, 2023, to determine the recipient of the prestigious award.