Lionel Messi won his 8th Ballon d’Or on Monday in a spectacular ceremony in Paris, while Spain’s World Cup-winning star Aitana Bonmati claimed the women’s award.
For Messi, the trophy is, above all, a recognition of his inspirational performance last year during the World Cup in Qatar when he led Argentina to victory by scoring seven goals and winning the title of the tournament’s best player.
This was the most significant moment in his illustrious career, and it allowed him to stand on the stage of the Chatelet Theatre in Paris, competing fiercely with Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe, who were both in the running for the prestigious award.
In June, Messi left Paris Saint-Germain and, following a stint in Major League Soccer with Inter Miami, returned to the French capital.