Argentina's captain Lionel Messi has won the Ballon d'Or award for the eighth time, extending his record today, after outperforming Norwegian Erling Haaland, the best player in Europe and treble winner with Manchester City. Messi, now a star at Inter Miami, played a pivotal role in leading Argentina to its first World Cup title in 36 years in Qatar last year, having last won this award in 2021.