BREAKING: Lionel Messi wins Ballon d'Or for record eighth time as top 30 confirmed

Lionel Messi has won the men's Ballon d'Or for a record-extending eighth time to cement his position as the greatest footballer in history.

Messi claimed France Football's prestigious prize at a glitzy awards ceremony in Paris on Monday night.

He was voted as the best men's player in the world by 100 journalists from the top 100 FIFA-ranked countries and presented the prize to a standing ovation by former PSG midfielder, England captain and Netflix documentary subject David Beckham.

Messi claimed the prize after winning the World Cup with Argentina in December.

Meanwhile, Barcelona star Aitana Bonmati picked up the women's Ballon d'Or after winning the World Cup with Spain earlier this summer.

Inter Miami star Messi becomes the first footballer playing outside of Europe to win the award.

The 36-year-old topped the voting ahead of Erling Haaland, who missed out despite scoring 52 goals in all competitions last season to help Manchester City claim a Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup treble.

"It's nice to be here once more to enjoy this moment," Messi said. "To be able to win the World Cup and achieve my dream."

Former Chelsea star Didier Drogba, who was presenting the award, asked if this Ballon d'Or was extra special because it came from winning the World Cup, to which Messi responded: "They're all special."

Top 30 men's Ballon d'Or rankings

1 Lionel Messi

2 Erling Haaland

3 Kylian Mbappe

4 Kevin De Bruyne

5 Rodri

6 Vinicius Jr

7 Julian Alvarez

8 Victor Osimhen

9 Bernardo Silva

10 Luka Modric

11 Mohamed Salah

12 Robert Lewandowski

13 Yassine Bounou

14 İlkay Gündoğan

15 Emi Martinez

1️6 Karim Benzema

1️7 Khvicha Kvaratskhelia

18 Jude Bellingham

19 Harry Kane

20 Lautaro Martinez

2️1 Antoine Griezmann

2️2 Kim Min-jae

2️3 André Onana

24 Bukayo Saka

25 Josko Gvardiol

26 Jamal Musiala

2️7 Nicolo Barella

2️8 Randal Kolo Muani

2️8 Martin Ødegaard

3️0 Ruben Dias

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Topics: Lionel Messi, Inter Miami, Ballon d'Or, Football

Chris Byfield

Sport journalist with experience writing on football, rugby, boxing and the Olympics. I'm also a Crystal Palace fan. Please don't hold this against me.