Messi wins record-extending 8th Ballon d'Or over Manchester City's Erling Haaland, PSG's Kylian Mbappé

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Lionel Messi has won the men’s Ballon d’Or, soccer’s biggest individual prize, for a record-extending eighth time.

After missing out on the trophy in 2022, Messi, who is widely regarded as the best soccer player ever, reclaimed the title as the current best in the world on Monday, adding to his storied career.

"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 in his acceptance speech through a translator.

Messi won the trophy in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, and now 2023.

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Lionel Messi accepts his eighth Ballon d'Or trophy at the Theatre Du Chatelet on in Paris on Oct. 30, 2023. (Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

The 36-year-old Messi won ahead of Manchester City forward Erling Haaland, a 23-year-old Norwegian star who is dominating the English Premier League, England’s top soccer competition. Haaland, who is called a goal-scoring machine, has averaged more than one goal per game in his 45 matches this season. He also scored 36 goals in 35 appearances during 2022, his debut year, setting a league record.

Other contenders for the top title included Messi’s former teammate at Paris Saint-Germain, the 24-year-old French sensation Kylian Mbappé, who helped carry France to the 2022 World Cup finals.

Manchester City's Erling Haaland celebrates after receiving the Gerd Müller trophy during the 67th Ballon d'Or ceremony at Theatre du Chatelet in Paris. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Messi tipped his proverbial cap to both rising stars, saying they