Lionel Messi has won his eight Ballon d’Or at a star-studded ceremony in Paris on Monday night.
The 36-year-old soccer superstar succeeds Karim Benzema as the winner of the prize awarded for his performances last season, when he inspired Argentina to glory at the World Cup.
This victory crowned Messi’s remarkable football career allowing Messi to see off stiff competition from Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland in particular.
Haaland came second in the final voting, with Mbappe third and Kevin De Bruyne in fourth place.
Former Barcelona superstar, Messi, scored seven times at the World Cup and was named the tournament’s best player after Argentina beat France on penalties in the final in Doha.
Yet Messi, who won his first Ballon d’Or in 2009, also had an underwhelming final season at Paris Saint-Germain, before leaving to play for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.
His old PSG teammate Mbappe made his case with his remarkable performances at the World Cup, where he finished as the top scorer with eight goals after netting a hat-trick in the final for France.
Norway striker Haaland scored an incredible 52 goals in 53 games for Manchester City as Pep Guardiola’s side won the treble of the English Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League.
He and De Bruyne were among the members of that City team who were nominated.
