'King of the King': Netizens react to Lionel Messi winning Ballon d'Or for record 8th time

Lionel Messi won the men’s Ballon d’Or for a record-extending eighth time on Monday after fulfilling his life’s ambition by leading Argentina to the World Cup title in Qatar last year. Adding to his silverware the one major trophy that eluded him in his storied career was the decisive factor in an otherwise quite mundane season for his standards at Paris Saint-Germain.

3 things you need to know

• Lionel Messi won the record 8th Ballon d'Or award
• Erling Haaland is the runner-up for the award
• Messi led Argentina to victory in the World Cup later last year.

READ: 'Special day': Lionel Messi gets fresh haircut ahead of Ballon d'Or ceremony

Lionel Messi wins Ballon d'Or for the record 8th time

Messi, who now plays for Inter Miami at the club level, who last took home the trophy in 2021, was a key figure in helping Argentina defeat France in the World Cup final last year and win their first championship in 36 years. 

After winning the final three Ballons d'Or from rival Cristiano Ronaldo in 2017, the 36-year-old now leads Ronaldo by three titles. With five second-place finishes, Messi has now finished in the top three a record 14 times overall. Messi came in second to Haaland at the UEFA Awards in August. Messi won his first Ballon d'Or in 2009 and went on to win four consecutively until 2012.

After leading City to the Champions League, Premier League, and FA Cup last season with 52 goals in 53 games across all competitions, Haaland, 23, was a strong favorite to win his first Ballon d'Or.

Netizens shower praise on Messi

Messi became only the third player in history to score 100 goals for his country in March, but the World Cup was the only significant trophy missing from his résumé. Argentina won the tournament to make up for losing to Germany in the 2014 final. Prior to joining Inter Miami and helping the Major League Soccer team win the Leagues Cup, their first major trophy, Messi also won the Ligue 1 championship with Paris St. Germain. Here's how netizens reacted to Messi's record achievement.

Jude Bellingham, a midfielder for Real Madrid and England, won the Kopa Trophy for the best Under-21 player, and his clubmate Vinicius Jr. received the Socrates Award for his charitable work off the pitch.

The Men's and Women's Club of the Season honours went to Manchester City and FC Barcelona Femeni in other awards.