Lionel Messi has won a record eighth Ballon d’Or for the best player in the world. The Argentina captain beat Norway’s UEFA Player of the Year and treble-winner Erling Haaland to the prestigious prize. The 36-year-old Messi became the first player to win eight of the coveted awards and is three ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo, who was second.
The winner of the Ballon d’Or is the best player in the world based on performances over the past 12 months and during the entire career of a professional footballer. The award has been handed out since 1995 when the eligibility criteria expanded to include players from all over the globe who play for European clubs. Liberia’s George Weah remains the only African to win a Ballon d’Or, winning in 1995.
In an extraordinary season, Messi led his Argentina team to their first World Cup title in 36 years when they beat defending champions France in the final last year. The victory lifted the clouds that had settled over Argentina, where a crisis-prone economy is struggling to recover from a recession. Inflation is running at almost 100%, squeezing the buying power of millions of Argentines.
Messi was the undisputed leader of the Argentina side, and he captained them in each of their four knockout games, as well as playing a pivotal role at the club level with Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1. He scored five goals during the tournament and converted two penalties in the decisive shootout, which his team won.
Despite his dazzling individual talents, Messi is, first and foremost, a team player. His ability to bring others around him and create opportunities for them is rare in the modern game. He is blessed with a combination of nimble footwork and a deadly eye for the past, and he has a gift for turning nothing into something special.
As well as his stunning goal-scoring, Messi is a master of the beautiful game, and his technical prowess is matched only by his desire to improve and learn. He is a constant innovator who continually strives to find new ways to enhance the game, and he is widely considered the greatest player of his generation, alongside the likes of Franz Beckenbauer, Johan Cruyff, and Alfredo Di Stefano.
Former England and Manchester United midfielder David Beckham awarded Messi. He dedicated the award to Sir Bobby Charlton, who died aged 86 earlier this month. In his acceptance speech, Messi said: “My motto is to take it day by day.” It is an approach that has served him well so far and should continue to serve him well for many more years. He added: “I want to thank the people who have supported me. I am very proud of this award, and I hope to keep working hard.” Messi will look to add further trophies to his impressive collection when the 2021-2022 club season gets underway.
