Neymar Celebrates Lionel Messi After Scooping Eighth Ballon D'Or Award

• Neymar Jr has reacted to Lionel Messi's eighth Ballon d'Or win
• The Brazil star and Messi played together for PSG last season
• Neymar missed the ceremony in Paris due to an injury

Brazilian forward, Neymar Jr has congratulated Lionel Messi after winning the Ballon d'Or for the eighth time.

The Argentina and Inter Miami star was crowned the 2023 best player at the 67th Ballon d'Or awards, beating off competition from Manchester City forward Erling Haaland and former Paris Saint-Germain teammate, Kylian Mbappe.

Both Messi and Neymar left PSG in the summer transfer window, with the ex-Barcelona winger joining Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia.

Neymar suffered a serious injury in the October international break, ruling him out of action for at least six months.

His injury prevented him from travelling to Paris to witness the crowning of Messi as the 2023 Ballon d'Or winner.

Lionel Messi: Argentine star reportedly 'wins eighth Ballon d'Or' after World Cup success

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However, the Al-Hilal forward took to social media to celebrate his former teammate and friend.

"Congrats Leo, you are the best," he wrote on his Instagram story.

Neymar and Messi played together at Barcelona and PSG, winning several titles, including the UEFA Champions League, as reported by the BBC.

Messi has now won the Ballon d'Or three more times than his closest competitor and long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo.

Mbappe congratulates Messi after Ballon d'Or win

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that France forward, Kylian Mbappe has congratulated Lionel Messi, after winning the 2023 Ballon d'Or award.

The Argentina and Inter Miami star beat off competition from Mbappe and Manchester City forward, Erling Haaland, to scoop the award for the eighth time in his illustrious career.

Mbappe and Messi led PSG to Ligue 1 triumph last season, but the former Barcelona forward beat the Frenchman to the award after winning the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Rodri backs Lionel Messi to win 2023 Ballon d'Or ahead of Erling Haaland

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Messi wins the 2023 Ballon d'Or

Sports Brief also reported that Lionel Messi won the Ballon d'Or for the eighth time in his career at a star-studded ceremony in Paris on Monday.

Messi, 36, succeeds Karim Benzema as the winner of the prize, awarded for his performances last season when he inspired Argentina to glory at the World Cup.

It was his displays in Qatar when Messi dragged his country to a victory that crowned his remarkable career, that allowed Messi to see off stiff competition from Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland in particular.