Lionel Messi earned his eighth ‘Golden Ball’ prize in his career at this year’s awards event for the finest football player on the planet, which took place this morning (October 31) at the Chatelet Theatre in Paris (France).

France Football magazine’s (France) 67th annual Ballon d’Or award ceremony Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have won this coveted honor a total of 12 times in the last 15 years (Messi 7 times, Ronaldo 5 times). Only Luka Modric in 2018 and Karim Benzema last year have won the “Golden Ball” since Ronaldo in 2008.

Messi won the “Golden Ball” in 2019, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, and 2021.

Messi made a significant contribution to Argentina’s World Cup victory in 2022.

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Messi will benefit from a recent adjustment in which the award is now based on the previous season’s achievements rather than the calendar year. Last season, the former Barcelona star played a key role in Argentina’s World Cup victory in Qatar, scoring seven goals, assisting three, and being named the tournament’s best player. It was the apex of his illustrious career, and it helped Messi finish first out of 30 hopefuls.

Most notably, seven members of the Manchester City club who won the record treble of titles last season (Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League) were present. Erling Haaland, who scored 52 goals in 53 games and earned UEFA’s “Best Player of the Year” award last season, is Man City’s brightest ‘Golden Ball’ candidate.

Messi established a new record in winning the ‘Golden Ball’ trophy.

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Messi’s season with PSG was unimpressive, even if he and the French capital team won Ligue 1 alongside colleagues Kylian Mbappe and Neymar. He got 21 goals and 20 assists in 41 outings with PSG in all competitions. But, before transferring to Inter Miami in Major Division Soccer (America’s top division) earlier this year, this 34-year-old superstar was content in Paris and was even mocked by the crowd at times.

Mbappe was PSG’s best player last season. After scoring a hat-trick in Messi’s final loss to Argentina, the 24-year-old French striker won the 2022 World Cup “Top Scorer” trophy with 8 goals.

The French lobby actively supports Mpbappe, who won the “Golden Ball” award in his nation this year. The prize, however, is decided by a committee of journalists from the top 100 FIFA-ranked countries.

Messi established a new record in winning the ‘Golden Ball’ trophy.

REUTERS

Messi’s season with PSG was unimpressive, even if he and the French capital team won Ligue 1 alongside colleagues Kylian Mbappe and Neymar. He got 21 goals and 20 assists in 41 outings with PSG in all competitions. But, before transferring to Inter Miami in Major Division Soccer (America’s top division) earlier this year, this 34-year-old superstar was content in Paris and was even mocked by the crowd at times.

Mbappe was PSG’s best player last season. After scoring a hat-trick in Messi’s final loss to Argentina, the 24-year-old French striker won the 2022 World Cup “Top Scorer” trophy with 8 goals.

The French lobby actively supports Mpbappe, who won the “Golden Ball” award in his nation this year. The prize, however, is decided by a committee of journalists from the top 100 FIFA-ranked countries.

Who is the owner of the Women’s Golden Ball?

The final destination of the women’s competition is becoming evident. Four players of the Spain team that won the Women’s World Cup in Sydney in August amid off-field drama, including protests against the country’s Football Association, are on the list of nominees. as well as coach Jorge Vilda.

Shortlisted were Alba Redondo, Salma Paralluelo, and full-back Olga Carmona, who scored the game-winning goal in the Women’s World Cup final. But the winner is Barcelona’s Bonmati. With her talent, the 25-year-old Barcelona midfielder lit up the tournament and helped the club win the Champions League. The defending World Cup winner Spain’s players are deserving of the Women’s Golden Ball award. Bonmati was awarded Best Player of the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand after helping Barcelona win La Liga and the Women’s Champions League in the 2022-2023 season.

Sam Kerr (Chelsea and the Australian women’s team) won the Women’s Silver Ball. Salma Paralluelo (Barcelona and Spain women’s team) won the Women’s Ballon d’Or.