Lionel Messi wins record eighth Ballon d’Or award as world’s top player, but Chinese fans set to miss out as tour axed
- Messi edges out Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé, dedicates award to Argentina teammates
- Inter Miami had been expected to play two games in China, but tour has reportedly been cancelled
Lionel Messi added to his trophy collection and made history on Monday when he won his eighth Ballon d’Or award, the highest individual honour a football player can receive.
The 36-year-old Argentinian World Cup champion and Inter Miami star became the first person to win the award eight times. He also won in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019 and 2021.
Messi accepted the 18-karat golden football ball trophy at a star-studded ceremony in Paris. He arrived on the red carpet in a black tuxedo with a bow tie, and was joined by his wife, Antonela, and their three young sons, Thiago, Mateo, and Ciro, all of them in tuxes.
Inter Miami co-owners David Beckham and Jorge Mas also attended, as did Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber. Beckham presented Messi with the award.
“I want to share this with all my teammates from Argentina; this is a gift for the entire team of Argentina and all the people of Argentina,” Messi said in his acceptance speech.
He also congratulated runners-up Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé and thanked all his fans around the world and his family.
