Lionel Messi: Winning eighth Ballon d'Or a dream come true

Lionel Messi said that winning the eighth Ballon d'Or of his storied career on the back of Argentina's World Cup success was a “dream come true”.

Messi, 36, succeeded Karim Benzema as the winner of the prize, awarded on the back of his performances last season when he inspired Argentina to glory at the World Cup in Qatar.

“The last one I won was also thanks to what we achieved with the Argentine national team in the Copa America [in 2021], but this one is much more special because it comes after we won the World Cup,” Messi told reporters after collecting his award at a ceremony in Paris on Monday.

“That is the trophy everyone wants to win the most, and it was a dream come true for me, my teammates and my country.”

He dragged Argentina to a victory in Qatar that crowned his remarkable career and allowed him to see off stiff competition for the Ballon d'Or from Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland in particular.

Haaland came second in the final voting, with Mbappe third and Kevin de Bruyne in fourth place.

Former Barcelona superstar Messi scored seven times at the World Cup and was named the tournament's best player after Argentina beat France on penalties in the final in Doha.

“Tonight I’m enjoying myself. It’s a pleasure that will never leave me, and I hope to be able to enjoy it for many years to come,” Messi said.

“Becoming world champion was the title we were missing. I’d like to thank everyone who helped make Argentina the world champion team.”

Messi also paid tribute to the late Diego Maradona, who also helped Argentina win the World Cup, back in 1986.

“This title and this trophy,” Messi said, “I share them with you and all our Argentina comrades.”

Argentina v France: Final - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

Yet Messi, who