Messi claims his eighth Ballon d’Or as the world’s best player
Inter Miami’s Messi, the winner of the award in 2021, played a crucial role in leading Argentina to their first World Cup title in 36 years in Qatar last season. The 36-year-old is now three Ballons d’Or ahead of his rival Cristiano Ronaldo, whose last win was in 2017 with five trophies in total. Messi has now finished in the top three a record 14 times, finishing as runner-up five times. “I couldn’t imagine having the career that I have had. Everything that I have achieved. The privilege of playing for the best team in the world, the best team in history. It is satisfying to win these individual awards. It is incredible to win the Copa America and then the World Cup,” said Messi. “All of the Ballon d’Or awards are special for different reasons,” he added. “I am happy to receive this recognition thanks to what we have accomplished with the national team,” Messi told Reuters. “This World Cup title that we had been chasing for so many years makes it even more special.” When asked i...