Lionel Messi, 36, becomes the first MLS-based player to win the Ballon d’Or and for a record eighth time after captaining Argentina to World Cup triumph in 2022.
Inter Miami and former Manchester United, Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, AC Milan, and PSG star, David Beckham, presented the award to the Argentine in Paris on Monday evening, seeing off a stiff competition from Manchester City’s Erling Haaland.
Haaland scored a staggering 52 goals last season as City won the Treble in 2022-23. He finished second in the voting and won the Gerd Muller Trophy given to the best striker of the year.
Argentinian goalkeeping hero Emiliano Martinez won the Yachine Trophy for best goalkeeper and England and Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham received the Kopa Trophy as the world’s top player under the age of 21.
Brazilian star, Vinicius Junior, was handed the Socrates award.
Aitana Bonmati was named the Women’s Player of the year. The Spanish international was successful with FC Barcelona Femeni as in the 2022/23 season.
