Messi wins his 8th Ballon d'Or; confirms Diario Sport

As per Spanish football website Diario Sport, Lionel Messi, the FIFA World Cup 2022 winner with Argentina has won his 8th Ballon d'Or. Ballon d'Or Gala will be on October 30 in Paris.

Accoridng to the journalist Albert Masnou, Lionel Messi and Aitana Bonmati will be winners of 67th Ballon d'Or in men's and women's categories respectively.

Both Bonmati and Messi helped their respective team win FIFA World Cups. Interestingly, both were also player of the tournaments on those FIFA World Cups. Aitana Bonmati scored thriece and assisted twice in FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 in Australia and New Zealand as Spain lifted the trophy for the first time in their history. She also won the UEFA Women's Champions League with FC Barcelona Femeni this season.

Also Read: FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 complete list of awards

Meanwhile, Lionel Messi, who scored seven goals in the FIFA World Cup 2022, had also assisted thrice before lifting the trophy in Qatar. Although the FIFA World Cup was in 2022, the tournament will be considered in this year's Ballon d'Or since the previous one was awarded just before the World Cup.

Also Read: Team of the FIFA World Cup 2022 Tournament

For Bonmati, she will be the second Barcelona Femeni player to receive the Ballon d'Or award after Alexia Puttelas won it last year. On the other hand, Lionel Messi will become the first-player ever tho receive the Ballon d'Or award outside of Europe.

Also Read: Top 5 oldest Ballon d'Or winners

Messi's Ballon d'Or years

Lionel Messi won the Ballon d'Or award in the following years. His seven Ballon d'Or awards came in 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2019 and 2021.