Argentine forward Lionel Messi reacts on stage with his trophy as he receives his 8th Ballon d'Or award during the 2023 Ballon d'Or France Football award ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, France, Oct. 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)
PARIS, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- Lionel Messi won his record-extending eighth Ballon d'Or here on Monday, while Spain's Aitana Bonmati claimed the women's award.
The Argentine soccer great won the award for his exceptional performance at the Qatar World Cup last year when he led Argentina to the trophy with seven goals and was named the best player of the tournament.
Messi has won the most significant individual football award in the years of 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, and now 2023.
"This is a gift to the whole Argentina team for what we achieved," said Messi, paying tribute to his teammates. "Becoming world champion was the title we were missing. I'd like to thank everyone who helped make Argentina the world champion team."
He also dedicated the trophy to legendary Argentine footballer Diego Maradona, who passed away in 2020 and would have celebrated his 63rd birthday on Monday.
"Happy birthday Diego. This is for you too," he said.
Norwegian forward Erling Haaland came second for winning the UEFA Champions League, Premier League, and FA Cup title with Manchester City, while Qatar World Cup golden boot winner Kylian Mbappe was third.
Bonmati lifted the women's Ballon d'Or, ahead of Australia's Sam Kerr and compatriot Salma Paralluelo, for winning Spain's first Women's World Cup title in August.
In other awards, England's Jude Bellingham was named the best under-21 player, while Haaland won the prize for the best striker of the year.
Messi's national team teammate Emiliano Martinez won the Lev Yashin Award for best goalkeeper. ■
Manchester City's Norwegian forward Erling Haaland speaks on stage as he receives the Gerd Mueller Trophy for Best Striker during the 2023 Ballon d'Or France Football award ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris on Oct. 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)
Argentine forward Lionel Messi (1st L) reacts on stage with his trophy next to his children as he receives his 8th Ballon d'Or award during the 2023 Ballon d'Or France Football award ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, France, Oct. 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)
Manchester City's Norwegian forward Erling Haaland (R) speaks on stage as he receives the Gerd Mueller Trophy for Best Striker during the 2023 Ballon d'Or France Football award ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris on Oct. 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)
Argentine forward Lionel Messi (L) reacts as he receives his 8th Ballon d'Or award next to Former English football player and Inter Miami's co-owner David Beckham during the 2023 Ballon d'Or France Football award ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, France, Oct. 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)
Argentine forward Lionel Messi reacts on stage with his trophy as he receives his 8th Ballon d'Or award during the 2023 Ballon d'Or France Football award ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, France, Oct. 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)
FC Barcelona's Spanish player Aitana Bonmati reacts as she receives the women's Ballon d'Or award during the 2023 Ballon d'Or France Football award ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris on Oct. 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)
Argentine forward Lionel Messi (L) reacts as he receives his 8th Ballon d'Or award next to Former English football player and Inter Miami's co-owner David Beckham during the 2023 Ballon d'Or France Football award ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, France, Oct. 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)
Argentine forward Lionel Messi (3rd L) reacts as he receives his 8th Ballon d'Or award during the 2023 Ballon d'Or France Football award ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, France, Oct. 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)
Argentine forward Lionel Messi (L) reacts on stage with his trophy next to his son as he receives his 8th Ballon d'Or award during the 2023 Ballon d'Or France Football award ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, France, Oct. 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)
Argentine forward Lionel Messi reacts on stage with his trophy as he receives his 8th Ballon d'Or award during the 2023 Ballon d'Or France Football award ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, France, Oct. 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)
Argentine forward Lionel Messi (L) speaks after he receives his 8th Ballon d'Or award next to Former English football player and Inter Miami's co-owner David Beckham during the 2023 Ballon d'Or France Football award ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, France, Oct. 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)
Argentine forward Lionel Messi (1st L) reacts on stage with his trophy next to his children as he receives his 8th Ballon d'Or award during the 2023 Ballon d'Or France Football award ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, France, Oct. 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)
Argentine forward Lionel Messi (L) speaks after he receives his 8th Ballon d'Or award next to Former English football player and Inter Miami's co-owner David Beckham during the 2023 Ballon d'Or France Football award ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, France, Oct. 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)
Argentine forward Lionel Messi (1st L) reacts on stage with his trophy next to his children as he receives his 8th Ballon d'Or award during the 2023 Ballon d'Or France Football award ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, France, Oct. 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)
Argentine forward Lionel Messi (1st L) reacts on stage with his trophy next to his children as he receives his 8th Ballon d'Or award during the 2023 Ballon d'Or France Football award ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, France, Oct. 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)
Argentine forward Lionel Messi (2nd R) reacts on stage with his trophy as he receives his 8th Ballon d'Or award during the 2023 Ballon d'Or France Football award ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, France, Oct. 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)
Argentine forward Lionel Messi reacts on stage with his trophy as he receives his 8th Ballon d'Or award during the 2023 Ballon d'Or France Football award ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, France, Oct. 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)
Argentine forward Lionel Messi (2nd R) hugs his son on stage with his trophy as he receives his 8th Ballon d'Or award during the 2023 Ballon d'Or France Football award ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, France, Oct. 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)
Manchester City's Norwegian forward Erling Haaland speaks on stage as he receives the Gerd Mueller Trophy for Best Striker during the 2023 Ballon d'Or France Football award ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris on Oct. 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)
Argentine forward Lionel Messi reacts on stage with his trophy as he receives his 8th Ballon d'Or award during the 2023 Ballon d'Or France Football award ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, France, Oct. 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)
Argentine forward Lionel Messi reacts on stage with his trophy as he receives his 8th Ballon d'Or award during the 2023 Ballon d'Or France Football award ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, France, Oct. 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)
Argentine forward Lionel Messi reacts on stage with his trophy as he receives his 8th Ballon d'Or award during the 2023 Ballon d'Or France Football award ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, France, Oct. 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)
Argentine forward Lionel Messi (1st R) arrives with his family at the red carpet of the 2023 Ballon d'Or France Football award ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, France, Oct. 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)
Argentine forward Lionel Messi (3rd L) reacts as he receives his 8th Ballon d'Or award next to his children and Former English football player and Inter Miami's co-owner David Beckham during the 2023 Ballon d'Or France Football award ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, France, Oct. 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)
Argentine forward Lionel Messi (3rd L) reacts as he receives his 8th Ballon d'Or award during the 2023 Ballon d'Or France Football award ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, France, Oct. 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)
Argentine forward Lionel Messi reacts on stage with his trophy as he receives his 8th Ballon d'Or award during the 2023 Ballon d'Or France Football award ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, France, Oct. 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)
Argentine forward Lionel Messi (1st R) arrives with his family at the red carpet of the 2023 Ballon d'Or France Football award ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, France, Oct. 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)
Argentine forward Lionel Messi reacts on stage with his trophy as he receives his 8th Ballon d'Or award during the 2023 Ballon d'Or France Football award ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, France, Oct. 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)
FC Barcelona's Spanish player Aitana Bonmati (R) reacts as she receives the women's Ballon d'Or award next to Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic during the 2023 Ballon d'Or France Football award ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris on Oct. 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)
Argentine forward Lionel Messi reacts on stage with his trophy as he receives his 8th Ballon d'Or award during the 2023 Ballon d'Or France Football award ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, France, Oct. 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)
Manchester City's Norwegian forward Erling Haaland (R) gestures on stage as he receives the Gerd Mueller Trophy for Best Striker during the 2023 Ballon d'Or France Football award ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris on Oct. 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)
Argentine forward Lionel Messi (1st R) arrives with his family at the red carpet of the 2023 Ballon d'Or France Football award ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, France, Oct. 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)
Manchester City's Norwegian forward Erling Haaland speaks on stage as he receives the Gerd Mueller Trophy for Best Striker during the 2023 Ballon d'Or France Football award ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris on Oct. 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)
FC Barcelona's Spanish player Aitana Bonmati reacts as she receives the women's Ballon d'Or award during the 2023 Ballon d'Or France Football award ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris on Oct. 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)
Manchester City's Norwegian forward Erling Haaland gestures on stage as he receives the Gerd Mueller Trophy for Best Striker during the 2023 Ballon d'Or France Football award ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris on Oct. 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)
Manchester City's Norwegian forward Erling Haaland (L) and Isabel Haugseng Johansen arrive at the red carpet of the 2023 Ballon d'Or France Football award ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris on Oct. 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)
Argentine forward Lionel Messi (1st L) reacts on stage with his trophy as he receives his 8th Ballon d'Or award during the 2023 Ballon d'Or France Football award ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, France, Oct. 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)
Argentine forward Lionel Messi reacts on stage with his trophy as he receives his 8th Ballon d'Or award during the 2023 Ballon d'Or France Football award ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, France, Oct. 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)
FC Barcelona's Spanish player Aitana Bonmati reacts as she receives the women's Ballon d'Or award during the 2023 Ballon d'Or France Football award ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris on Oct. 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)
Argentine forward Lionel Messi arrives at the red carpet of the 2023 Ballon d'Or France Football award ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, France, Oct. 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)
Real Madrid's Brazilian forward Vinicius Junior speaks as he receives the Socrates Trophy for most involved player in societal and charitable projects at the 2023 Ballon d'Or France Football award ceremony in Paris on Oct. 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)
Paris Saint Germain's French forward Kylian Mbappe arrives at the 2023 Ballon d'Or France Football award ceremony in Paris on Oct. 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)
Emiliano Martinez reacts as he receives the Yachine trophy for best goalkeeper of the world at the 2023 Ballon d'Or France Football award ceremony in Paris on Oct. 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)
Real Madrid's English midfielder Jude Bellingham recieves the Kopa Trophy for best under-21 player at the 2023 Ballon d'Or France Football award ceremony in Paris on Oct. 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)
Aston Villa's goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez (L) and Mandinha Martinez arrvie at the 2023 Ballon d'Or France Football award ceremony in Paris on Oct. 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)
Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic arrives at the 2023 Ballon d'Or France Football award ceremony in Paris on Oct. 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)
Former footballer Didier Drogba (L) and journalist Sandy Heribert arrive at the 2023 Ballon d'Or France Football award ceremony in Paris on Oct. 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)
Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic arrives at the 2023 Ballon d'Or France Football award ceremony in Paris on Oct. 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)
Jude Bellingham (L) and Vinicius Junior arrive at the 2023 Ballon d'Or France Football award ceremony in Paris on Oct. 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)
Former football player David Beckham arrives at the 2023 Ballon d'Or France Football award ceremony in Paris on Oct. 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)
