Messi, who was not nominated for Ballon d’Or this year, remained the only player to have won the award eight times
By Kehinde Okeowo
Argentina captain, Lionel Messi, has taken to social media to felicitate with all nominees and winners at the 2024 Ballon d’Or award.
Manchester City’s Rodri was named the winner of this year’s edition of the award, after he was voted the best player on the planet ahead of Real Madrid forward, Vinicius Junior.
Messi was, however, conspicuously absent from Monday’s ceremony held in
in Paris, France, following his exclusion from the 30-man shortlist.
The Inter Miami striker despite missing out, went online to congratulate international teammate, Emiliano Martinez, who won the award of the best goalkeeper for the second consecutive year.
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He went on to hail other Argentine teammates who made the cut this year.
Speaking via his Instagram page, Messi wrote: “Congratulations to all the winners and nominated ones for the Ballon d’Or 2024.
“Especially to Dibu, what a great, another award for the best goalkeeper in the world. And to Lautaro, to Scaloni and Garnacho.”
Messi remains the only player to have won the Ballon d’Or eight times.