Argentina Star Lionel Messi Shares Emotional Speech After 8th Ballon d'Or Win

Argentina superstar, Lionel Messi, has achieved a historic eighth Ballon d'Or title, surpassing all competition, including Manchester City's prolific striker, Erling Haaland.

This remarkable accomplishment comes on the heels of Messi's instrumental role in leading Argentina to World Cup victory the previous year.

At 36 years of age, Messi not only secures an astounding eighth Ballon d'Or but also becomes the first player based in Major League Soccer to lay claim to this prestigious award.

His extraordinary achievements, however, are predominantly attributed to his remarkable contributions to his national team in Qatar.

The award was presented to him in Paris by David Beckham, former Manchester United player and co-owner of Inter Miami.

In his gracious acceptance speech, Lionel Messi expressed his gratitude, acknowledging his national team-mates and the entire group, highlighting their collective achievements, according to The Athletic.

"To be able to win the World Cup and really achieve my dream, to share this with all those who were involved. I couldn't imagine having the career I've had and everything I've achieved, the fortune I've had to be part of the best team in history."

He also paid homage to the late Diego Maradona on what would have been his birthday.

Even before the ceremony in Paris, Messi had already made history, as no other player had secured the Ballon d'Or more times than he had.

His previous victories were in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, and 2021.

How Did the Argentina Star Win the Ballon d'Or 2023?

Lionel Messi's triumph in the 2023 Ballon d'Or was primarily attributed to his exceptional performances during the previous season, ESPN noted.

He scored 21 goals in 41 appearances while at Paris Saint-Germain, aiding the club in retaining the Ligue 1 title.

Subsequently, his transfer to Inter Miami yielded a fruitful 11 goals in 14 games, contributing to the franchise's inaugural Leagues Cup victory.

Notably, Messi encountered a few matches missed due to injury towards the end of the regular MLS season, which hindered his team's pursuit of a playoff spot.

However, his standout contributions on the grand stage of the World Cup in 2022 clinched his eighth Ballon d'Or.

As the captain of Argentina, Messi played a pivotal role in their victory, netting seven goals and providing three assists while being honored as the Player of the Tournament.

His two goals in the final and successful penalty shootout against France marked the culmination of a memorable World Cup finale.

This win holds particular significance for Messi, given his previous World Cup heartaches, including a loss in the 2014 final to Germany.

Many had viewed the 2022 World Cup as his last opportunity to claim the sport's most prestigious prize.

2023 Award Winners

In addition to Messi's accolade, the Ballon d'Or 2023 recognized other outstanding individuals and teams within the world of football:

Aitana Bonmati was awarded the Ballon d'Or for the best female footballer in the world, thanks to her exceptional contributions, including a Women's World Cup victory with Spain and her impressive performance with Barcelona, Marca noted.

Erling Haaland received the Gerd Müller Trophy for Best Striker, representing both Manchester City and Norway.

Emiliano Martínez, representing Aston Villa and Argentina, was honored with the Yashin Trophy as the Best Goalkeeper, CNN reports.

The Kopa Trophy for Best Player Under 21 was presented to Jude Bellingham, who has excelled with Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid and represents England.

Vinícius Jr., of Real Madrid and Brazil, was recognized with the Socrates Award for his humanitarian work.

Manchester City earned the title of Men's Club of the Year, while Barcelona Femení was awarded Women's Club of the Year for their exceptional achievements.

The 2023 Ballon d'Or ceremony celebrated not only Messi's historic eighth win but also the outstanding talents and contributions of individuals and clubs in the world of football.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written By: Joshua Summers

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