In a dazzling ceremony held in Paris, France, Lionel Messi, the iconic Argentine captain who led his nation to victory in the 2022 World Cup, secured an unprecedented eighth Ballon d’Or award.
This extraordinary achievement cements Messi’s legacy as one of the greatest footballers of all time.
The Argentine star first captured the Ballon d’Or in 2009 and then went on to claim the prestigious title for the seventh time in 2021.
Messi’s performance during the 2022 World Cup was a masterclass, with him scoring two crucial goals during the final match, including one in a penalty shoot-out, that won Argentina the cup.
He also scored 32 goals in 55 league games for PSG, helping the side clinch the Ligue 1 title.
On the women’s side, Aitana Bonmati, a 25-year-old Spanish star hailing from Barcelona, claimed her first Ballon d’Or Feminin. She the Champions League and Spanish title with Barcelona last season, as well as securing the World Cup with Spain.
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Meanwhile, two Nigerian stars also feature as Ballon D’or nominees, with Victor Osimhen making history as the first Napoli player to make the top 10 of the Ballon d’Or rankings as the Super Eagles forward finished 8th overall.
While Asisat Oshoala made the top 20 of the ranking, having played a pivotal role in FC Barcelona Femeni’s success as they clinched the women’s Liga F title and the UEFA Women’s Champions League trophy. She is the first African female player to be nominated for the prestigious award twice.
Other awards
Other winners on the night include England and Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham who was handed the Kopa Trophy as the best young player in the world.
The Socrates Prize which identifies the best social initiative, was won by Vinicius Jr won for helping under-privileged Brazilian children.
Barcelona was named Women’s Club of the Year as the Spanish outfit won the UEFA Champions League and Spanish title last season and they had six players on the Ballon d’Or Feminin shortlist.
The night also belonged to another Argentine, the former Oxford United loanee Emiliano Martinez who helped his country to clinch the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 won the Yashin Trophy for the best keeper in the world.
But it was Norway’s international, Erling Haaland , that got the Gerd Muller Trophy for his prolific scoring form that saw him scored some 52 goals for Manchester City, who in the meantime was named the men’s club of the year after bagging the Treble last season.