BREAKING: Lionel Messi wins Ballon d'Or for record eighth time as top 30 confirmed
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Lionel Messi has won the men's Ballon d'Or for a record-extending eighth time to cement his position as the greatest footballer in history.
Messi claimed France Football's prestigious prize at a glitzy awards ceremony in Paris on Monday night.
He was voted as the best men's player in the world by 100 journalists from the top 100 FIFA-ranked countries and presented the prize to a standing ovation by former PSG midfielder, England captain and Netflix documentary subject David Beckham.
Messi claimed the prize after winning the World Cup with Argentina in December.
Meanwhile, Barcelona star Aitana Bonmati picked up the women's Ballon d'Or after winning the World Cup with Spain earlier this summer.
Inter Miami star Messi becomes the first footballer playing outside of Europe to win the award.
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The 36-year-old topped the voting ahead of Erling Haaland, who missed out despite scoring 52 goals in all competitions last season to help Manchester City claim a Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup treble.
"It's nice to be here once more to enjoy this moment," Messi said. "To be able to win the World Cup and achieve my dream."
Former Chelsea star Didier Drogba, who was presenting the award, asked if this Ballon d'Or was extra special because it came from winning the World Cup, to which Messi responded: "They're all special."
Top 30 men's Ballon d'Or rankings
1 Lionel Messi
2 Erling Haaland
3 Kylian Mbappe
4 Kevin De Bruyne
5 Rodri
6 Vinicius Jr
7 Julian Alvarez
8 Victor Osimhen
9 Bernardo Silva
10 Luka Modric
11 Mohamed Salah
12 Robert Lewandowski
13 Yassine Bounou
14 İlkay Gündoğan
15 Emi Martinez
1️6 Karim Benzema
1️7 Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
18 Jude Bellingham
19 Harry Kane
20 Lautaro Martinez
2️1 Antoine Griezmann
2️2 Kim Min-jae
2️3 André Onana
24 Bukayo Saka
25 Josko Gvardiol
26 Jamal Musiala
2️7 Nicolo Barella
2️8 Randal Kolo Muani
2️8 Martin Ødegaard
3️0 Ruben Dias
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Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Lionel Messi, Inter Miami, Ballon d'Or, Football
