Messi beat Erling Haaland of Man City and PSG star, Kylian Mbappe to the 2023 edition of the prestigious award
By Kehinde Okeowo
Inter Miami striker, Lionel Messi has won the Ballon d’Or award for the eighth time in his career.
He was named the winner of the prestigious prize on Monday night in the French city of Paris in what many see as a fitting reward for leading the Abiscelete to a World Cup triumph late last year.
Prior to the latest feat, Messi clinched the award in 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021.
He has now extended his record for winning the grandest individual prize in football to three over long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo’s five.
Finishing behind the 36-year-old were European treble winner Erling Haaland and his fellow World Cup final giant, France’s Kylian Mbappe.
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Haaland enjoyed an incredible debut season at Manchester City as he scored 52 goals in all competitions, with 36 of them coming in the Premier League and 12 in the Champions League.
Mbappe on the other hand, had a good sowing during the 2022 World Cup leading the French attack and narrowly missing out in the finals to Argentina.
But it was Messi who prevailed on the night, winning the prize for a record eighth time.
