Argentine star Lionel Messi extends record with his eighth Ballon d’Or at gala ceremony in Paris

World football celebrated another chapter in the career of Lionel Andrés Messi. Aos 36 years old, the Argentine player was crowned with his eighth Bola of Ouro during the gala ceremony held at the Théâtre du Châtelet, in Paris. The award, organized by the magazine France Football, consolidated the athlete as the biggest winner in the history of the trophy, expanding his advantage over other big names in the sport.

The achievement was mainly driven by its historic performance in the Copa of the Mundo of 2022, in the Catar. In the competition, Messi was the maestro who led the Argentine team to their third world championship, ending a 36-year drought for the country. Sua Decisive performance, with goals, assists and leadership on the field, was the determining factor in the votes of specialized journalists.

Currently defending the Inter Miami, in the Major League Soccer (MLS), of the Estados Unidos, the star demonstrated that his genius remains intact, even in a new chapter of his career. The award not only recognizes a specific season, but reinforces a legacy of almost two decades of dominance and excellence at the highest level of football.

The campaign that won the prize

The Copa of the Mundo of 2022 was, without a doubt, the great asset of Lionel Messi in achieving its eighth Bola of Ouro. The Argentine arrived at the tournament with the pressure of delivering the title that was missing from his successful career and he responded with memorable performances. Over the seven games, he scored seven goals and distributed three assists, being named the best player in the competition. Sua influence was felt at crucial moments, such as in the knockout matches against Austrália, Holanda and Croácia. The climax came in the electrifying final against França, where he scored two of Argentina’s three goals in a 3-3 draw and converted his penalty in the penalty shootout, sealing one of the greatest individual performances in the history of the World Cup and securing the trophy for his nation.

The fierce competition on the podium

Competition for the award in 2023 was one of the strongest in recent years. Norwegian striker Erling Haaland, from Manchester City, took second place. Sua’s debut season in English football was overwhelming, marked by the conquest of the triple crown — Premier League, FA Cup and the unprecedented Liga of the

Completing the podium, Frenchman Kylian Mbappé, from Paris Saint-Germain, came in third place. The striker was the top scorer in the Copa of the 2022 Mundo, with eight goals, including a historic hat-trick in the final against the Argentina, and maintained his high level of performance for the Parisian club, winning another Ligue 1 title.

The Brazilian Vinicius Junior, from Real Madrid, also stood out, finishing in sixth place. Além of your performance on the field, Vini Jr. was honored with the Prêmio Sócrates for his social work outside the four lines, especially through the Instituto Vini Jr., which promotes education for children and young people in the Brasil.

Other highlights of the awards in Paris

The ceremony was not limited to the men’s awards. In women’s football, Spanish Aitana Bonmatí, from Barcelona, was elected the best player in the world, crowning a season in which she won Liga from Campeões with the club and Copa from Mundo with the Espanha team. Barcelona was also elected Clube Feminino of Ano.

The Manchester City, for its victorious campaign, was named the Clube Masculino of the Ano. Emiliano Martínez, Messi’s teammate on the Argentine national team and hero in Copa’s Mundo, took home the Troféu Yashin for best goalkeeper. Já the Englishman Jude Bellingham, from Real Madrid, was recognized with the Troféu Kopa, awarded to the best under-21 player of the season.

The immediate impact on Major League Soccer

The arrival of Messi to Inter Miami in mid-2023 caused a revolution in MLS. The club, co-owned by David Beckham, which previously occupied the bottom of the table, gained instant prominence with the presence of the Argentine star.

On his debut, he scored a free kick in stoppage time, securing the victory and signaling what was to come. In just a few weeks, Messi led the team to its first title, the Leagues Cup, a tournament that brings together teams from the MLS and the Mexican league.

In that competition, he was the top scorer with 10 goals in seven games, including a great goal in the final against Nashville SC. “Messimania” took over the Estados Unidos, selling out tickets in all stadiums and drastically increasing subscriptions to the league’s streaming service.

His presence was also a magnet for other talent, with former Barcelona teammates like Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba joining the project, increasing the visibility and technical level of the North American championship to levels never seen before.

A trajectory of records and consistency

Lionel Messi’s career is an anthology of records and achievements. Sua first Bola of Ouro was achieved in 2009 when he led Barcelona of Pep Guardiola to a perfect season. Seguiram won in 2010, 2011 and 2012, becoming the only player to win the award four consecutive times. Ele returned to the top in 2015, 2019, 2021 and now in 2023, setting a mark of eight trophies that seems unattainable. With this achievement, he distances himself even further from his historical rival, Cristiano Ronaldo, who has five.

In addition to individual awards, Messi has accumulated more than 40 collective titles for clubs and national teams, including four Ligas from Campeões, ten titles from La Liga and one Copa América. With more than 800 official goals in his career, he is one of the greatest scorers of all time. Sua’s ability to remain at the top for almost two decades, adapting his game and overcoming challenges, is a testament to his dedication, talent and passion for the sport, solidifying his name among the greatest legends in football history.

The legacy for new generations

At 36 years old, Messi continues to be a source of inspiration for millions of fans and athletes around the world. Jogadores young people who emerge on the global stage, like Lamine Yamal and Endrick, often cite him as their biggest idol. Fora on the field, the Argentine also leaves his mark through Fundación Leo Messi, which supports projects aimed at the health and education of children in vulnerable situations in several countries.

Future challenges in the Argentine’s career

With a contract in force with Inter Miami until 2025, Messi still has clear objectives ahead. The main challenge in the short term is to lead the team through a full MLS season, seeking to take the team to the playoffs and, consequently, the league title, something unprecedented for the Flórida franchise.

For the Argentine team, the next major tournament is the Copa América in 2024, which will be played in the Estados Unidos. Como captain and current champion, he will seek a second continental championship, keeping the team at the top of South American football and preparing the ground for the defense of the world title in 2026.