Lionel Messi has recently expanded his record-breaking Ballon d'Or count to eight after claiming his latest one last October 30.
The Ballon d'Or, which roughly translates to "Golden Ball" in English, is generally regarded as the most prestigious individual award given to the best-performing player across all football leagues worldwide for the preceding year.
The 36-year-old Argentine had already set the record for the most Ballon d'Ors in history by the age of 25, claiming his fourth in 2012.
While Cristiano Ronaldo temporarily matched his tally with a fifth win in 2017, Messi distanced himself by earning three more, solidifying his record as unreachable.
With Messi's Ballon d'Or count unlikely to be surpassed anytime soon, let us rank each of his eight awards.
8. 2021
Messi won his seventh Ballon d'Or award in 2021 after leading Argentina to their first major trophy in 28 years and his first international honor.
Club-wise, Messi had great statistics for FC Barcelona, but they weren't able to have much success on the field aside from the 2021 Copa Del Rey trophy in the pandemic-laden season, where most matches were played without fans.
This was also the year when Messi moved to Paris Saint-Germain, and he presented the award to fans in Parc de Princes in the French capital.
7. 2010
The 2010 Ballon d'Or wasn't just a significant accolade for Messi but also for FC Barcelona.
The top three finalists for this prestigious honor graduated from Barcelona's renowned youth academy, La Masia, and were currently playing for the Blaugrana club.
Messi was accompanied by his midfield teammates Andres Iniesta, the scorer of the game-winning goal for Spain in the 2010 FIFA World Cup Final, and Xavi, a key figure in Barcelona and Spain's sustained success in previous years.
6. 2019
The 2018-19 FC Barcelona team was a few games away from the continental treble, defying expectations due to a poorly constructed roster and aging stars.
Throughout the year, Messi single-handedly carried the team, delivering some of the most exceptional performances of his career every week and ultimately securing the league title.
However, the team infamously blew a 3-0 aggregate lead in the semifinals of the Champions League against Liverpool. Despite this setback, the entire campaign stands out as a highlight in Messi's career due to his ability to lift the club from seemingly impossible situations.
5. 2011
Messi claimed his third Ballon d'Or in 2011 after being the centerpiece of arguably the greatest club team of all time, the 2010-11 FC Barcelona.
The team played scintillating football for the entire season, culminating in winning the 2011 UEFA Champions League.
While Messi undoubtedly played a central role, he received substantial support from Xavi and Andres Iniesta, who were both at the peak of their performances.
Read more: The Top Five All-Time Top Scorers in UEFA Champions League History and Their Best Goal
4. 2023
The latest among his eight Golden Balls, Messi extended his unattainable record after winning the crowning achievement of his career and the only thing missing in his storied career: the FIFA World Cup.
Messi led Argentina to their first World Cup glory since the days of Diego Maradona in 1986, scoring two goals in the final and winning the Golden Ball award as the tournament's best player.
The championship match, a captivating and intense encounter against Kylian Mbappe and France, is widely regarded by many as the greatest match in the sport's history, owing to its thrilling nature and heavy implications.
Messi also won the award as a member of MLS club Inter Miami and became the first player to present the trophy in front of an American crowd.
3. 2012
Messi secured his record-breaking fourth Ballon d'Or in 2012 after the greatest individual scoring season of his career.
During the 2011-2012 campaign, he netted an extraordinary 73 goals and achieved a remarkable total of 91 goals for the calendar year of 2012, earning him a Guinness World Record.
At 25 during this period, Messi was already regarded by some observers as the greatest player of all time.
2. 2015
The 2014-15 season was an incredible bounce-back season for the Argentine after a trophyless campaign the year before, with many speculating that Messi has fallen off due to a drop in his performances and several injuries.
Considered by some as his peak as a player, Messi led Barcelona to their second continental treble, the first club to achieve the milestone of winning the league, domestic cup, and the UEFA Champions League in the same season twice.
Messi evolved into a dual threat as both a prolific goalscorer and an adept playmaker, thanks partly to the contributions of talented forwards Luis Suarez and Neymar Jr.
1. 2009
The familiar saying holds true: there's nothing quite like the first time.
At 22 in 2009, Messi solidified his status as the best player in the world after steering Barcelona to their inaugural continental treble.
This triumph culminated in a victory over Manchester United and Cristiano Ronaldo in the UEFA Champions League final.
Notably, Messi clinched the Ballon d'Or with a then-record margin, ahead of the previous year's winner, Ronaldo, by an impressive 240 points.
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