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Click on our football index to see our various Ballon d'Or reaction pieces.

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Sam, Basingstoke: What’s Haaland got to do to win it? Breaking goal-scoring records and winning the most prized trophies at club level over the course of an entire season… But no… Messi won it based off of 7 games to win the World Cup. What else exactly has Messi done over the year? This is absolute daylight robbery.

Matt: People’s memories are so short. 10 months ago every man and his dog was saying the World Cup win meant Messi was nailed on for this award, as he should be. He’s the best player ever, period.

Michael, Newcastle: Anyone saying Messi is an undeserving winner knows little about football. He's been exceptional for Argentina in the World cup and outside of it, scoring 26 goals in 20 appearances. He has scored and assisted more than 20 goals for PSG in the 22/23 season. Messi has the highest match rating in the top 5 divisions with a rating if 8.48 (yes he actually played well for PSG). Single handledly transformed the worst team in MLS. Deserved winner!

Messi is Infinity, says a message on the big screen behind everyone.

The screen confirms Erling Haaland finished second and Kylian Mbappe finished third.

That means Kevin de Bruyne was fourth.

Messi's kids come up on stage to join him.

A special episode of the Football Daily, 'Lionel Messi: Destiny' is available to listen on BBC Sounds now. Click here to listen.

David Beckham co-owns the club Lionel Messi plays for, Inter Miami.

Beckham says: "It's very special to say he's a Miami player and he's in our city. He'll celebrate this with his team-mates and his family in his way. We'll do our best to celebrate it in the Miami way. I'm sure we can do a good party."

"To win the Copa America and to get the World Cup after all those difficult moments in the national teams," continues Messi.

Messi says "I couldn't imagine having the career I've had and everything I've achieved, the fortune I've had to be part of the best team in history".

Image source, Getty Images

Have a look at some of Lionel Messi's records and if they'll ever be broken.

Jamie in Leyton: Soooo, is the Balon D'or given to the player who had the best single moment of the season, or the player who was the best player across the entire year? I thought it was the latter? It certainly used to be the latter, but seems not anymore. Haaland should've won.

Graham: Haaland absolutely robbed. But he'll get one in the future, or nine.

Didier Drogba asks if this Ballon d'Or was extra special because it came from winning the World Cup.

"They're all special," Messi says.

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

Messi's wife tells one of their kids to pay attention.

A standing ovation for the Barcelona legend, who played his club football in Paris last season.

First Inter Miami player to win the Ballon d'Or...

Quelle surprise.

As expected, Lionel Messi wins a record-extending eighth Ballon d'Or Trophy after leading Argentina to World Cup glory.

Image source, BBC Sport