Argentina’s Lionel Messi won his eighth Ballon d’Or this Monday and became the first winner of the award created in 1956 who does not play in Europe.

The Argentina star has beaten Haaland and Mbappé, the two in the running to one day take Leo’s place, but for now they will have to wait another year to achieve it.

Erling Haaland, striker of Norway and Manchester City, wins the Müller Trophy for the best scorer of the season

The World Cup in Qatar, which the former Barcelona player came to by overcoming the entire race of brakes and inability to achieve it, was decided in the final in which 100 journalists voted instead of the usual 170.

Emiliano ‘Dibu’ Martínez, from the Argentine national team, wins the Yasha trophy for the best goalkeeper of the year

Argentina was relieved, and Leo got the Holy Grail, recording a historic performance, with 7 goals and 3 assists, two in the final, defeating an irresistible France throughout the tournament in which Mbappé, his partner until June in Paris, did not let up until he finished the hat- with a trick that could leave him without fame.

Messi does not need more honors, more decorations, more awards to be considered the absolute dictator of the beautiful game, but the capital of France, which appreciated him so little during his two years at PSG, was the last stop on a journey that began long ago day in 2009, when he received the first of the eight trophies won.

In the tasteless 2023, eliminated in the round of 16 of the Champions League with PSG and in which they only won Ligue 1, Messi managed to convince the world that his World Cup, full of heroics, should highlight him as the best player in the world.

Neither Haaland’s 52 goals nor his treble, including the Champions League, could stop him. Neither does Mbappé, who at 25 doesn’t know what it means to win the Ballon d’Or, considering what it means for a unique talent.

Paris paid him his last respects. David Beckhamthe celebrity chosen to award him an eighth Ballon d’Or at the Chatêlet Theater had no choice but to surrender to a certainty that was called into question by his erratic performance in the Argentine national team.

Messi succeeds Benzema, the winner in 2022, is crowned the only player to win eight awards, surpassing Cristiano Ronaldo with three, another historic and unique footballer who has challenged Leo’s throne for years. (D)