Lionel Messi has accomplished it once more. The Argentine soccer GOAT clinched his eighth Ballon d’Or, confirming the predictions of oddsmakers, who had him listed because the clear favourite to maintain his file achievement alive.
Leo Messi accepting a Ballon d’Or award. He received his eighth award Monday night time, extending his lead because the record-setting soccer GOAT. (Picture: AFP)
In what turned out to be his last yr of eligibility due to his current transfer to Inter Miami within the MLS, Messi continues to depart an indelible mark on the planet of soccer. The choice to change leagues and be part of Inter Miami successfully bars him from future nominations for the Ballon d’Or. However he’s already cemented his place in soccer historical past.
Messi’s closest competitors within the Ballon d’Or run is Cristiano Ronaldo, who has 5. If he nonetheless plans on retiring in 2026, it’s nearly unattainable Ronaldo will catch up.
The Unstoppable Messi
The awards ceremony unfolded on Monday night time on the historic Theatre du Chatelet in Paris. Presenting the trophy to Messi was his boss, Inter Miami co-owner and former English soccer phenom David Beckham.
Messi’s Ballon d’Or victory is the crowning achievement of a season marked by distinctive success. He showcased his prowess in European soccer by claiming the Ligue 1 title and the Trophies de Champions with Paris Saint Germain.
The Argentine maestro and former FC Barcelona star additionally performed a pivotal position in securing the FIFA World Cup for his homeland, Argentina. Surpassing formidable rivals like Erling Haaland of Manchester Metropolis, who secured second place within the odds, and Jude Bellingham, who secured the third spot, Messi as soon as once more demonstrated why he’s thought-about one of many best soccer gamers of all-time.
Among the many 30 finalists vying for the Ballon d’Or, notable names included Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne, Kylian Mbappé, Vinicius Junior, Karim Benzema, and Harry Kane.
However Messi was the massive favourite to win, getting odds of round -2500 on most sportsbooks. Haaland had odds of +900 and Bellingham was getting +4000.
The night time wasn’t an entire disappointment for Haaland. The Norwegian participant took dwelling the Gerd Muller Trophy, an award given to one of the best striker of the season.
Bonmatí Triumphs for Spain
Within the realm of girls’s soccer, Spain’s Aitana Bonmatí claimed the Ballon d’Or. Her outstanding contributions had been showcased throughout Spain’s Girls’s World Cup triumph simply two months in the past.
Bonmatí not solely performed a vital position in securing the title, but additionally left an indelible mark individually, scoring three objectives and registering two assists. Her stellar efficiency earned her the Golden Ball, an accolade reserved for the World Cup’s greatest participant.
Bonmatí’s affect prolonged past the worldwide stage. Her affect was felt at Barcelona, the place she performed a pivotal position in securing a double triumph for the staff final season. Barcelona clinched its eighth Liga F title, solidifying its dominance domestically, and likewise triumphed within the Girls’s Champions League for the second time.
The 25-year-old was additionally the favourite with oddsmakers within the ladies’s race. She was getting odds of -150 forward of the ceremony, a major benefit over Actual Madrid’s Olga Carmona and her +800. In third was Man U’s Mary Earps, with odds of +1000.
