Lionel Messi has been crowned the 2023 winner of the prestigious football Oscar, the Ballon d’Or for the 8th time to mark an illustrious soccer career.

Messi, 36, played a pivotal role in Argentina’s success with seven goals, including two in the final of the World Cup.

He also scored a spot-kick in the penalty shoot-out against France and opened the scoring in a tense group game against Mexico where a defeat could have sent Argentina out.

Messi also won Ligue Un with Paris Saint-Germain before inspiring Inter Miami to their first piece of silverware, winning the Leagues Cup.

He has now won 29 trophies in his career and an eighth Ballon d’Or means Messi boasts 45 individual honours.

This also means he has won 3 more Ballon d’Or to better the 5 won by his closest rival Cristiano Ronaldo.