Argentine footballers have been flying since winning the 2021 Copa America. Before the World Cup in Qatar, Argentina was unbeaten in 36 consecutive matches. Lionel Messi's side remain unbeaten after an unexpected defeat against Saudi Arabia in their World Cup opener. The players of the world winning team are shining light in club football as well as national team. Proof of which is the recently announced Ballon d'Or. Several other Argentines made the top twenty on the night Messi won a record eighth Ballon d'Or.

This year's Ballon d'Or was presented to Lionel Messi in a spectacular ceremony at the Chalé Theater in Paris last Monday (October 30). Messi's memorable performance at the World Cup in Qatar overtook Manchester City treble-winning striker Arling Holland and Qatar World Cup top scorer Kylian Mbappe. The Ballon d'Or stage was dominated by World Cup winners Argentina. Emiliano Martinez won the best goalkeeper award of the season.

All in all, four Argentines including Messi have made it to the list of top 20 Ballon d'Or players. They are Julian Alvarez, Emiliano Martinez and Lautaro Martinez.

Alvarez had a great last season. He was Argentina's second choice striker in the World Cup. Lautaro Martínez's off form he got a place in the eleven. The rest is history. Contributed to Argentina's World Cup victory by scoring 4 goals. In the same season, he won the treble title on his debut for Manchester City. He has won all possible titles in one season. He is seventh on the Ballon d'Or stage.

Emi Martinez, who won the best goalkeeper award, is on the list of best players. Martinez, who plays for Premier League side Aston Villa, is 15th on the Ballon d'Or list

Another Martinez is at number 20 in the list of best players. Inter Milan captain Lautaro Martinez has had a great season for the club despite not playing as well as expected at the World Cup. The team finished second in Serie A. And in the Champions League, he took Inter Milan to the final for the first time since 2009-10.

21:33, 31 October 2023

Messi sees Ballon d'Or in the hands of the future

Lionel Messi took himself to a unique height by winning the Ballon d'Or for the eighth time. That's what's going on around now. Messi's two rivals in this year's World Cup were Holland and Mbappe. But in the end, thanks to that World Cup win, the Ballon d'Or award went to Messi for the eighth time. Although Mbappe and Hollande did not win the Ballon d'Or with Messi this time, Messi believes that both of them will win the Ballon d'Or in the future.

Messi once again outdid himself and won the Ballon d'Or trophy, the highest individual award for footballers, for a record eighth time. Former England star David Beckham handed over the France Football Player of the Year award in a grand ceremony at the Chalé Theater in Paris on Monday (October 30) night.

Messi overtook Holland and Kylian Mbappe to win the Ballon d'Or. Norwegian star Holland won the treble in addition to scoring 53 goals for Manchester City last season. On the other hand, Mbappe played a big role in bringing France to the finals in the last World Cup in Qatar. After the hat-trick the team failed to win the title but he won the Golden Boot by scoring the highest 8 goals in the tournament. In addition, he scored 41 goals in 43 matches for PSG last season and assisted 10 goals. Won the league title.

However, these titles and goals of Holland and Mbappe could not beat Messi's World Cup victory. As a result, Messi won the Ballon d'Or for the eighth time. However, after receiving the award, Messi said that Holland and Mbappe will rule the Ballon d'Or in the future.

Receiving the award, Messi said, 'This Ballon d'Or is a gift for all of Argentina. But I don't want to forget Holland or Mbappe, who have had a great year. They are fantastic and will be winning this award for years to come.'

Holland finished second in the race for this year's Ballon d'Or. And Mbappe finished from three.