MESSI WINS 8TH BALLON D’OR

Lionel Messi beats his own record by winning the Ballon d'Or for the eighth time in his career, which is three more than Cristiano Ronaldo who wasn't nominated this year for the first time in 20 years.

Other awards being handed out were the golden ball for the women's game, the Kopa Trophy, Yashin Trophy, Socrates Award, Gerd Muller Trophy and Club of the Year. Here are the full rankings for the men's Ballon d'Or and the winners for the rest of the awards.

Also on INMR recently: New podcast on INMR out now!! My latest podcast in on YouTube and is all about Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, a rising English winger smashing it at Borussia Dortmund. Go check it out! https://youtu.be/_d_5-3boGIE?si=Og4qaNBrkXl-jHIw

Ballon d'Or full rankings 30-1

30th – Ruben Dias (Manchester City/Portugal) 

29th – Martin Odegaard (Arsenal/Norway) and Randal Kolo Muani  (PSG/France)

27th – Nicolo Barella (Inter Milan/Italy)

26th – Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich/Germany)

25th – Josko Gvardiol (Manchester City/Croatia)

24th – Bukayo Saka (Arsenal/England)

23rd – Andre Onana (Manchester United/Cameroon)

22nd – Kim Min-Jae (Bayern Munich/South Korea)

21st – Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid/France)

20th – Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan/Argentina)

19th – Harry Kane (Bayern Munich/England)

18th – Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid/England)

17th –  Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Napoli/Georgia)

16th –  Karim Benzema (Al Ittihad/France)

15th –  Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa/Argentina)

14th –  Ilkay Gundogan (Barcelona/Germany)

13th –  Yassine Bounou (Al Hilal/Morocco)

12th –  Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona/Poland)

11th –  Mohammed Salah (Liverpool/Egypt)

10th –  Luka Modric (Real Madrid/Croatia)

9th - Bernardo Silva (Manchester City/Portugal)

8th - Victor Osimhen (Napoli/Nigeria)

7th - Julian Alvarez (Manchester City/Argentina)

6th - Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid/Brazil)

5th - Rodri (Manchester City/Spain)

4th - Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City/Belgium)

3rd - Kylian Mbappe (PSG/France)

2nd - Erling Haaland (Manchester City/Norway)

1st - Lionel Messi (Inter Miami/Argentina)

Ballon d'Or Feminin Winner: Aitana Bonmati

The Barcelona and Spain star was favourite to win the award last night, after her remarkable year for club and country. She helped Barcelona to success in the league, the Super Cup and the Champions League, she was also named player of the tournament in Spain's World Cup winning campaign this summer.

Kopa Trophy Winner: Jude Bellingham

What a year for Jude Bellingham, a brilliant season with Borussia Dortmund and England, he got 19 goal contributions last season for Dortmund. In the summer he signed for European giants Real Madrid and has had a superb start to life in Spain so far. Bellingham ranked 18th in the men Ballon d'Or standings but surely he will be placing much higher in years to come, with many believing it won't be long before he wins the golden ball.

Yashin Trophy Winner: Emiliano Martinez

Martinez has been voted the best goakeeper of the year for his contributions to Argentina's World Cup winning campaign. Martinez kept three clean sheets throughout the tournament and was a penalty hero for his nation on more than one occasion, saving two penalties against the Netherlands and one in the final against France.

Gerd Muller Trophy Winner: Erling Haaland

The goal scoring machine! Erling Haaland scored 56 goals this season, not bad for someone who "wouldnt be able to handle the standard of the Premier League". Haaland was a key part of Pep Guariola's treble winning Man City side, they won the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League last season, the Norweign was top goalscorer in two of those three competitions.

Men's Club of the Year: Manchester City

This didn't come as a surprise to many. Manchester City won the treble last season and in some style, their team had seven Ballon d'Or nominees too. Man City are hoping to build on last years successes this season, they aim to win the Premier League for the fourth consecutive time and win the treble again.

Written by Isabelle Newnham