This glittering achievement adds another jewel to the crown of the 2022 World Cup victor, solidifying his status as an unrivaled legend in the world of football.

In a glittering ceremony held in the enchanting city of Paris, Messi, now a prominent figure at Inter Miami, was anointed as the undisputed recipient of this prestigious award. The honor is widely regarded as a fitting tribute to his monumental feat of guiding Argentina to a spectacular World Cup victory the previous year.

At the age of 36, Messi’s resurgence has been nothing short of extraordinary, and his new Ballon d’Or win signifies his outstanding contribution to the sport. This victory succeeds Karim Benzema’s reign, firmly establishing Messi as the reigning football deity for his exceptional performances in the previous season, particularly his instrumental role in Argentina’s World Cup glory.

While the competition was fierce, with prodigies like Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland breathing down his neck, Messi’s indomitable spirit shone through. Haaland secured a commendable second place in the final vote, with the remarkable Mbappe trailing in third and the formidable Kevin De Bruyne securing the fourth position.

Messi’s World Cup heroics in Qatar were the stuff of legends, with the 36-year-old maestro netting an impressive seven goals and being duly honored as the tournament’s most outstanding player. The grand finale, which witnessed Argentina’s thrilling victory over France in a penalty shootout in Doha, was the crowning moment of Messi’s storied career.

However, it’s worth noting that despite his stellar World Cup performance, Messi had an underwhelming final season at Paris Saint-Germain before embarking on an exciting new journey with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.

While his former PSG comrade Mbappe dazzled the world with his extraordinary displays on the World Cup stage, ending as the tournament’s top scorer with eight goals, Messi’s resplendent legacy ultimately stole the show. Notably, Norwegian sensation Erling Haaland, who recorded an astonishing 52 goals in 53 games for Manchester City while securing the English Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League treble, proved to be a formidable contender.

Both Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne were key members of the City squad that earned nominations, highlighting the fierce competition for the coveted Ballon d’Or.

The post Legendary Messi claims 8th Ballon d’Or in record-breaking victory appeared first on NEWSVERGE.

The Argentine, who won the Liga title with Barcelona but only managed third place in the Copa America with his country, added to his 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2015 trophies.

He finished above Dutchman Virgil van Dijk and Portugal’s third-placed Ronaldo, who has won the award five times.

“I am very lucky, I am blessed. I hope I will continue for a long time,” Messi told reporters. “I realize that I’m lucky even if one day it will be time to retire,” added the 32-year-old.

“It will be tough but I still have some years ahead of me. Time flies so I will enjoy football and my family.”

Senegal’s Sadio Mane, who along with runner-up Van Dijk and fellow Liverpool nominees Alisson Becker of Brazil and Egypt’s Mohamed Salah, helped the Merseyside club win the Champions League, came fourth in the poll of international journalists.

“It was amazing,” said Van Dijk. “There are a couple of players like him (Messi) who are fantastic. I’m proud of what I’ve achieved with Liverpool and Holland. It’s going to be tough (to win the award) when these guys are around.”

Messi, whose stellar career was rewarded with another trophy, and Ronaldo, had between them won 10 consecutive Ballon d’Or awards until Croatia’s Luka Modric prevailed in 2018.

Megan Rapinoe earlier won the women’s Ballon d’Or after leading the United States to a record-extending fourth World Cup title in France this year as they retained the trophy.

The 34-year-old midfielder, the standout player at the June-July tournament, succeeded Norway’s Ada Hegerberg who did not take part in the World Cup.

Rapinoe was not present at the ceremony in the Theatre du Chatelet, where the show ‘An American In Paris’ is on.

“I’m so sad I can’t make it tonight. It’s absolutely incredible congrats to the other nominees. I can’t believe I’m the one winning in this field, it’s been an incredible year,” Rapinoe said in a recorded message.

“I want to thank my team mates and the U.S. federation.”

Dutchman Matthijs de Ligt, a key player in Ajax Amsterdam’s thrilling run to the Champions League semi-finals and now at Juventus, won the Kopa trophy for the best Under-21 male player.

Alisson, one of the four Liverpool players in the top seven for the men’s Ballon d’Or, was awarded the new Yashin trophy for the best male goalkeeper of the year.

There was, however, no trophy for the best female Under-21 player or keeper.

The post Messi claims record 6th Ballon d’Or, Rapinoe wins women’s award appeared first on NEWSVERGE.

Real Madrid’s Croatia midfielder Luka Modric took the prize Monday in Paris after winning the UEFA Champions League and being named the tournament’s player at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

The 33-year-old’s triumph ended Messi’s and Cristiano Ronaldo’s decade-long reign, with the Juventus’ Portugal striker finishing second and Messi fifth in a vote by 180 journalists.

“I will not get into discussing the inconsistencies of the prize,” Valverde told reporters.

“We congratulate Modric for winning the Ballon d’Or but Messi being in fifth place is absurd.”

Messi, a five-time Ballon d’Or winner, led Barca to a La Liga-Copa del Rey double last season but Argentina went out of the World Cup in the last 16 to eventual champions France.

The Barca No. 10 also won a record fifth European Golden Shoe after finishing with 34 top-flight goals last season.

Modric got 753 points followed by Ronaldo on 476, Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann with 414 and Paris St-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe was fourth with 347, ahead of Messi on 280.

FC Barcelona host Cultural Leonesa on Wednesday in the second leg of their Copa del Rey round of 32 tie, in which they hold a 1-0 advantage.

However, Messi is not expected to feature.

The post Messi’s fifth place in Ballon d’Or vote absurd, Barca coach says appeared first on NEWSVERGE.