Lionel Messi dedicates 8th Ballon d’Or to Maradona, Aitana Bonmati bags women's award
'Happy birthday Diego. This is for you too,' said Messi
'Happy birthday Diego. This is for you too,' said Messi
'Happy birthday Diego. This is for you too,' said Messi
'Happy birthday Diego. This is for you too,' said Messi
Lionel Messi, who led Argentina to 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, has clinched his eighth Ballon d'Or award at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris on Monday, October 30.
"This is a gift to the whole Argentina team for what we achieved," said Messi as he receiving the award from David Beckham.
"Happy birthday Diego. This is for you too," he said, dedicating the trophy to late Argentina football icon Diego Maradona, who would have celebrated his 63rd birthday on Monday.
Messi won his first Ballon d'Or in 2009 and the latest is his eighth award. Close behind him is Cristiano Ronaldo, who won five Ballon d'Or awards.