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| Lionel Messi accepts the 2023 Ballon d'Or, marking the record eighth-time he has won the award. Getty Images |
Lionel Messi was named the Ballon d’Or 2023 winner at a ceremony in Paris on Monday, the eighth time he has won the prestigious award.
Messi captained Argentina to 2022 World Cup success in Qatar last winter.
The 36-year-old scored twice in a blockbuster final against France in December which finished 3-3 after extra-time, scored in the penalty shoot-out and was named player of the match.
Messi fought off competition from Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and former Paris Saint-Germain team-mate Kylian Mbappe, as well as 26 other nominees to win the award.
In a league title-winning season for PSG, he played 41 matches during the 2022/23 season, scored 21 goals and provided 20 assists.
At the World Cup in Qatar, Messi scored twice in the group stage and was on target in each knockout round, scoring against Australia, the Netherlands and Croatia, and then in the final.
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| Lionel Messi/Picture Credit: TNT Sports |
He finished second in the top goalscorer charts with seven goals and received the Golden Ball at the conclusion of the tournament in recognition of his fine campaign.
On stage, he said: "Thank you very much, to share this with my national team-mates for what we were able to achieve with the national team.
"The entire group, the coaching staff, everyone involved. I’m delighted to be here once more to be able to enjoy this moment one more time.
"To be able to win the World Cup and really achieve my dream, to share this with all those who were involved."
Speaking to his fellow nominees, Messi went further to said: "Hats off to Kylian Mbappe, Erling, Kevin, You guys are very young, you've achieved so much already, so plenty of time left."
Fittingly, after his World Cup success speech, he added: "To finish, I want to say happy birthday to Diego Maradona."
After his contract at PSG ran out in the summer, Messi moved to Inter Miami in MLS on a free transfer and was one of three players nominated for the award who do not currently play in Europe.
The former Barcelona forward spent 17 years with the Spanish club between 2004 and 2021 and also won the award in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019 and 2021.
He was 22 years old when he won his first in 2009 and 14 years later has sealed a record eighth award.
Source: Newsfill Blog/Verified and updated from TNT Sports