91Èȱ¬

Lionel Messi has won the Men's Ballon d'Or, one of the greatest individual awards in the footballing world, for the eighth time.

Spain's Aitana Bonmati was awarded the Women's Ballon d'Or, which is her first.

The Ballon d'Or recognises the best footballer of the year and is voted for by 100 journalists from around the world.

Messi is 36 and has won three more Ballon d'Or awards than anyone else.

We think you're going to be happy about that result because Messi was the top pick among Newsrounders, in our unofficial poll when we asked who you thought the winner should be.

Cristiano Ronaldo is Messi's next nearest rival and has won the award five times, most recently in 2017, but failed to make the shortlist this year.

David Beckham presented Messi with the trophy at a ceremony in Paris.

He also paid paid tribute to Sir Bobby Charlton, a former England World Cup winner who died at the age of 86 earlier this month.

"It's nice to be here once more to enjoy this moment," Messi said when he was presented with the trophy.

"To be able to win the World Cup and achieve my dream."

The former Barcelona and Paris St-Germain star added: "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."

The Women's Ballon d'Or winner Bonmati has enjoyed a hugely successful year too.

She helped her club triumph in the Spanish top flight and Champions League, and also helped her country win the World Cup in the summer.

The 25-year-old was crowned Uefa's player of the year in August.

Bonmati scored three goals at the tournament in Australia and New Zealand as Spain went on to beat England in the final.

"I'm very proud to win the Ballon d'Or," Bonmati said. "Football is a collective sport, so I'd like to extend this prize to my team-mates and staff."

Manchester City forward Erling Haaland came second in the Men's competition, while France forward Kylian Mbappe finished third.

Earlier this year Mbappe scored a World Cup final hat-trick, becoming just the second man to do so.

Norway international Haaland scored a record-breaking 36 goals in 35 league games and hit 52 in all competitions.

He also helped his team Man City win the Treble of Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup.

For the Women's competition, Sam Kerr of Chelsea and Australia finished second, while Barcelona and Spain teenager Salma Paralluelo was third, and Fridolina Rolfo of Barcelona and Sweden finished fourth.

England goalkeeper Mary Earps achieved a fifth place finish and team-mate Rachel Daly was 10th.

Fellow Lionesses Millie Bright and Georgia Stanway were also among the nominees.

Haaland was recognised for his achievements winning the Gerd Muller Trophy for best goalscorer.

Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham won the Kopa Trophy for the world's best player aged under 21.

Argentina World Cup winner and Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez won the Yashin Trophy for the best goalkeeper in the world, after winning the Golden Glove at the World Cup in Qatar.

He also helped Aston Villa finish seventh in the Premier League that secured their place in the Europa Conference League.

Real Madrid winger Vinicius Jr received the Socrates Award, for his achievements off the pitch.

The player set up a foundation that works to build schools and invest in education in poorer regions of Brazil.

He has also said he will keep speaking out against racism in world football, after becoming the target of racist abuse regularly in La Liga games for the past two seasons.

He said: "I will remain strong in the fight against racism. It is a very sad thing to talk about racism nowadays, but we have to continue in the fight so that people suffer less."

At the event David Beckham, who presented the men's Ballon d'Or paid tribute to Sir Bobby Charlton, a former England World Cup winner who died at the age of 86 earlier this month.