Lionel Messi, 36, Becomes Second-Oldest Ballon d'Or Winner Of All Time

Lionel Messi won his eighth Ballon d'Or award at the age of 36 years, four months and six days. Messi is now the second-oldest player ever to win the award.

Lionel Messi won his eighth Ballon d'Or award on Monday at the age of 36 years, four months and six days.

In doing so, the Argentina and Inter Miami captain became the second-oldest player ever to win the award.

Messi pushed Karim Benzema down to third place on the list of the oldest Ballon d'Or winners.

Benzema - who came 16th in the 2023 vote - was aged 34 years, nine months and 29 days when he won the 2022 edition.

Former England star Stanley Matthews is still the oldest winner in Ballon d'Or history.

Matthews won the first ever Ballon d'Or award while playing for Blackpool in 1956 at the age of 41 years, 10 months and 17 days.

Oldest Ballon d'Or Winners

1. Stanley Matthews (1956): 41 years, 10 months and 17 days
2. Lionel Messi (2023): 36 years, four months and six days
3. Karim Benzema (2022): 34 years, nine months and 29 days
4. Lionel Messi (2021): 34 years, five months and five days
5. Lev Yashin (1963): 34 years, one month and 26 days
6. Alfredo Di Stefano (1959): 33 years, five months and 11 days
7. Luka Modric (2018): 33 years, two months and 24 days

Blackpool's Stanley Matthews was nearly 42 when he became the first Ballon d'Or winner in 1956 :: IMAGO/Colorsport