Messi wins 'Ballon d'Or' for eighth time

Buenos Aires: The world famous football striker from Argentina Lionel Messi has won the Ballon d'Or award for 2023 best player for a record eighth time.

Messi was named the best player of the year 2023 in a ceremony held in Paris.

Lionel Messi from @InterMiamiCF keeps extending his record with eight Ballon d’Or!

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— Ballon d'Or #ballondor (@ballondor) October 30, 2023

In addition, Messi's Argentina team-mate Emiliano Martinez won the Yashan Trophy for best goalkeeper, while England and Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham was awarded the Copa Award.

Lionel Messi's World Cup 2022 was instrumental in Argentina winning the World Cup for the third time after 36 years. Messi scored seven goals and assisted three goals in the World Cup 2022, while he scored 21 goals in 41 matches last season.

In addition, Messi also played a key role in US football club Inter Miami winning the League Cup for the first time this year. He also scored 11 goals in 14 matches in the Major League.

Messi has won the ‘Ballon d’Or’ award the most eighth time, first was in 2009 followed by 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019 and 2021.

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo has won the award five times, with Ronaldo last winning the Footballer of the Year award in 2017.

Last year, the Ballon d'Or award was scored by French footballer Karim Benzema.

It is pertinent to note that Ballon d'Or award is given by France Football to the best footballer of the year, while 100 journalists from around the world vote for the winner.