• Lionel Messi secured his eighth Ballon d’Or, a record in football history, and Aitana Bonmati claimed the Ballon d’Or Féminin Award for her exceptional contributions to Spain’s Women’s World Cup win and Barcelona’s success.

ABOUT THE AWARD

• The Ballon d’Or is an annual football award presented by French news magazine France Football since 1956.
• The Ballon d’Or awards are based on a player’s individual performance in the previous season.
• Previously players were adjudged based on performance during the calendar year.