Lionel Messi wins record eighth Ballon d’Or over Haaland & Mbappe

Lionel Messi has won his eighth Ballon d’Or, further solidifying his status as one of the greatest footballers of all time.

The glittering ceremony was held in the heart of Paris and witnessed Messi’s remarkable achievement as he extended his lead over long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo by three titles.

This year’s Ballon d’Or saw a historic shift in its criteria. France Football is now evaluating players’ performances solely within the last season rather than over the entire calendar year.

Messi’s 2022/23 campaign saw him lead the Argentina national team to victory at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

He was incredible on the grandest stage of them all, bagging seven goals, three assists and a Golden Ball for the best player.

Messi also had a solid campaign for Paris Saint-Germain during the domestic and European competitions.

In 32 Ligue 1 appearances, he bagged 16 goals and 16 assists. He netted four goals and provided four assists in the Champions League.

Messi outshone his fellow finalists, beating off stiff competition for the coveted award.

Kylian Mbappe had an outstanding season for PSG with 41 goals. His remarkable season continued at the World Cup, where he finished as the top scorer with eight goals.

Norwegian sensation Erling Braut Haaland was a formidable challenger for the award after a stellar first season in England.

Haaland’s goalscoring prowess was on show throughout the season. He bagged 52 goals, spearheading Manchester City’s remarkable treble-winning campaign.

His contributions were instrumental as City captured the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup.

However, Messi claimed the prestigious prize as his success and performances at the World Cup were the decisive factors that adorned his incredible legacy.