Lionel Messi takes home record 8th Ballon D'or, Barcelona's Aitana Bonmatí receives her first

Lionel Messi won his 8th Ballon D'Or tonight, The 8 time winner of the award took it home ahead of Manchester City striker Erling Haaland and Messi’s former Paris Saint-Germain teammate, Kylian Mbappé. On the other side of Football. Meanwhile Lionel won his 8th, Aitana Bonmatí took home her first Ballon D'Or for her displays for both Barcelona and Spain throughout the season. Lionel Messi picked up this year's award 14 years after picking up his first back in 2009, Messi lead his country Argentina to a World Cup late last year the trophy that had alluded him his entire career, Lionel Messi's final peak.

Aitana Bonmatí took home the Ballon D'or for her efforts for Barcelona and Spain, Bonmatí was the key to Spain’s Women’s World Cup win two months ago, winning the award for the best player in the tournament, She also helped Barcelona Femení to a double last season, with the Blaugrana claiming the team’s eighth Liga F title and a second Women’s Champions League, Bonmatí topped Chelsea striker Sam Kerr, Barcelona teammates Fridolina Rolfö, Salma Paralluelo and England and Manchester United goalkeeper Mary Earps to take home her first Ballon D'or. Bonmatí is the next Spanish midfielder to win the Ballon d’Or Femení, which was introduced in 2018, after Barça teammate Alexia Putellas won the award back-to-back in 2021 and 2022.

Lionel Messi received his record-extending Ballon D'or, Lionel lead his country to their 3rd world cup as well as leading Inter Miami to their first trophy. throughout the world cup Lionel was the best player in every game being the glue to Argentina's squad leading them to their 3rd world cup. In his acceptance speech he mentioned the late and great Diego Maradona, “I want to do a final mention to Diego [Maradona]. Today is his birthday,” Messi said, “so I don’t think there’s a better place to wish him a happy birthday than surrounded by players, coaches, by people who love football like he did, so wherever you are, happy birthday, Diego. This [award] is also for you, I share it with you and with all of Argentina.”

Lionel Messi topped Manchester City's Erling Haaland, and Paris Saint Germain's Kylian Mbappé; who scored over 40 goals while leading Paris to the French champion and France to the World Cup final where he netted a hat trick in his heroic effort against Argentina. The prolific Norwegian Erling Haaland, who most thought was more deserving of the award than Messi scored 52 goals in his first season in Manchester, breaking several records along the way and driving the team towards the league, FA Cup and Champions League treble, Haaland took home 2 awards home on the night. Jude Bellingham took home the Kopa trophy, an award given to the best player under 21 in Europe.

Aitana Bonmatí received her first Ballon D'or after her amazing season, she spoke to the gala after receiving the award, “I’m very proud to receive the Ballon d’Or tonight. Even though it’s an individual prize, football is a collective, team sport, so I’d like to share the prize with my colleagues, staff, workers at Barça and the national team because what’s clear is that without the titles achieved this year. ” Bonmatí said after accepting her award from 24-time tennis singles champion Novak Djokovic.

Lionel Messi, Aitana Bonmatí, both had amazing seasons individually; Messi for La Albiceleste, PSG and Inter Miami and Bonmatí with Barcelona and La Roja. Both had amazing seasons that were worthy of such prestigious awards, Bonmati leading Spain to the World Cup final, and Barcelona Femení to winning titles – Liga F, the Spanish Super Cup and the Women’s Champions League, Bonmati scored 19 goals in 37 games during Barca's treble-winning campaign. Lionel Messi as well, leading Argentina to their third world cup ever, PSG to French champions and Inter Miami to their first trophy. Two amazing players won two amazing awards, the highest point in football achieved, for Bonmati her first and Lionel Messi his eighth.