Lionel Messi and Aitana Bonmati Crowned Ballon d'Or Winners in Men's and Women's Categories
Lionel Messi secures an unprecedented eighth Ballon d'Or, while Aitana Bonmatí of Barcelona and Spain triumphs with the Ballon d'Or Féminin These prestigious soccer awards honor the finest talents in both men's and women's football
Lionel Messi secured his eighth Ballon d'Or on Monday, further extending his record. Meanwhile, Aitana Bonmatí, the standout performer for Barcelona and Spain, claimed the Ballon d'Or Féminin. These prestigious soccer awards recognize the top players in both the men's and women's game.
Having initially achieved his first Ballon d'Or in 2009, Messi was awarded this year's accolade in Paris. This remarkable achievement follows his leadership in Argentina's successful World Cup campaign, which concluded last year. It stands as the most significant milestone in the career of the Inter Miami star to date.
Messi, the renowned former Barcelona player, emerged as the winner in the voting, surpassing Erling Haaland, the striking force of Manchester City, and Kylian Mbappé, Messi's former teammate at Paris Saint-Germain.
Expressing his gratitude, Messi stated, "I never envisioned having the remarkable career that I have had. I consider myself fortunate, thanks to God, to have accomplished all my aspirations and overcome the challenges that football presents, which are undoubtedly arduous." This statement was made by Messi while receiving his Ballon d'Or award from David Beckham, the co-owner of Inter Miami and former esteemed England footballer.
"I was fortunate, as Aitana mentioned earlier, to be part of the greatest team in the world - a team that holds an unparalleled place in history. This made it easier for us to secure numerous titles, leading to individual accolades," Messi acknowledged his successful stint with Barça. However, he also opened up about his challenges with the Argentina national team, where he experienced both highs and lows. After suffering a heartbreaking loss in the 2016 Copa América final, there was even a brief contemplation of retiring from international football. "I've faced many difficult moments, particularly with the Argentina national team... times when things didn't work out for me. Yet, I want to emphasize that I never gave up. I continued to fight, aiming to conquer the Copa América in 2021 and win the World Cup. I take great pride in not being content with mere attempts but actually achieving these goals."
Bonmatí played a crucial role in Spain's victory in the Women's World Cup, which took place two months ago. She scored three goals and provided two assists, earning her the prestigious Golden Ball award for being the tournament's best player at Australia and New Zealand 2023. Alongside this international success, she also contributed significantly to Barcelona Femení's triumphs last season. The team clinched their eighth Liga F title and secured a second Women's Champions League trophy by defeating Wolfsburg in June.
Aitana Bonmatà has won the Ballon d'Or Féminin for the first time.
Javier Borrego/Europa Press/Getty Images
"I am extremely proud to have received the Ballon d'Or tonight. Despite it being an individual accolade, I recognize that football is a collective and team sport. Therefore, I would like to dedicate this prize to my colleagues, the staff, the workers at Barça, and the national team. It is evident that without the achievements and titles attained this year, I would not be standing here today," expressed Bonmatí upon receiving the prestigious award from 24-time tennis grand slam singles champion, Novak Djokovic.
"Although I must admit to feeling a bit nervous and lacking sleep in recent days, being present at the world's biggest football gala is nothing short of a dream come true. As someone who tends to keep a low profile, being here holds a special significance for me."
I am fortunate to have the opportunity to play for esteemed clubs such as FC Barcelona and also represent the national team. In both these environments, I am surrounded by exceptional teammates who contribute to my continuous improvement on a daily basis.
The midfielder becomes the second Spanish player to claim the Ballon d'Or Féminin, an esteemed accolade that was established in 2018. This achievement follows the consecutive wins of my Barcelona teammate, Alexia Putellas, who secured the award in 2021 and 2022.
Chelsea and Australia's star striker Sam Kerr, along with BonmatÃ's La Roja and Barcelona teenage teammate Salma Paralluelo, were closely behind Bonmatà in the voting.
France Football compiles the lists of nominees, and a panel of journalists from around the world then vote to decide the winners.
More to followâ¦
