Messi defeated Haaland to win the Ballon d’Or for the eighth time in 2024
At Monday’s Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris, Lionel Messi received the eighth Ballon d’Or trophy of his career.
Inter Miami president and former England captain David Beckham presented it to the 36-year-old Argentina star.
Messi now has three more Ballon d’Or titles than any other player in soccer history, having previously won the award in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, and 2021.
Only ten men have won the Ballon d’Or more than once, with Cristiano Ronaldo, a five-time winner, the only player other than Messi to have won it more than three times.
Messi attended the ceremony on Monday with his wife Antonela Roccuzzo and their three children. Yassine Cheuko, Messi’s Miami bodyguard, also traveled to France.
Messi’s main competitor for the 2023 prize was Erling Haaland, who finished second in a vote of 100 journalists, one from each of the top 100 FIFA-ranked nations.
These journalists were instructed to base their decisions on the players’ performances and accomplishments between August 1, 2022, and July 31, 2023.
Messi’s main competitor for the 2023 prize was Erling Haaland, who finished second in a vote of 100 journalists, one from each of the top 100 FIFA-ranked nations.
These journalists were instructed to base their decisions on the players’ performances and accomplishments between August 1, 2022, and July 31, 2023.
But Messi’s trump card was his stunning form at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, which Norway did not qualify for.
Messi led Argentina to its first World Cup title since 1978, scoring seven goals and providing three assists.
Argentina captain Messi joined Inter Miami on a free transfer in July after leaving PSG in June.
He is thus the first player born in the United States to win the Ballon d’Or, though his 2023 award was earned prior to moving to Miami.
Kylian Mbappe finished third in the 2023 vote, ahead of Kevin De Bruyne and Rodri, who finished fourth and fifth, respectively.