Messi winning his eighth Ballon d'Or award, extending his lead over Cristiano Ronaldo. Messi expressed gratitude for his career and the privilege of playing for top teams.
Despite strong competition from Erling Haaland, Messi's outstanding performance in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where he earned the Golden Ball and Silver Boot, secured his victory.
This win was significant for Messi as it completed his collection of major trophies, and he also reached the milestone of scoring 100 international goals earlier in the year.