Lionel Messi tonight grabbed a record-setting eighth Ballon d’Or with long-standing juror and SCORENigeria Publisher Samm Audu among those who voted for him after his heroics for Argentina to win a third World Cup last year in Qatar.
Messi also won the Ballon d’Or in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019 and 2021.
Cristiano Ronaldo is his closest rival with five Ballon d”Or wins.
Samm Audu, who has worked for FIFA, CAF and NFF, was among the 100 journalists around the world who cast their votes for the top nominees of the prestigious Ballon d’Or.
“It would not make sense not to give the Ballon d’Or to the best player in history in the year in which he became world champion,” remarked former Belgium World Cup star Eden Hazard.
Victor Osimhen was ranked eighth in the men’s category, while Asisat Oshoala was 20th for the women.
Rema performed ‘Calm Down’ at the 67th awards ceremony to again show how well Nigerian music has traveled around the world.
Other winners on the night were Aitana Bonmati (Women’s Ballon d’Or winner), Erling Haaland (Gerd Muller Award trophy for top scorer of the Year), Jude Bellingham (Young Player of the Year), Vinicius Junior (Socrates Humanitarian Award), and Emiliano Martinez (Best Goalkeeper).
