Ballon D'Or: Football Fans in Nigeria Chant Messi's Name in Celebration After Eighth Win: Video

• Fans in Nigeria celebrated Lionel Messi's Ballon d'Or victory in style
• The Argentina star beat Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland to the award
• Messi has now won the coveted trophy eight times

A group of young Nigerian fans were not left out of the Ballon d'Or excitement after they celebrated Lionel Messi's eighth Ballon d'Or success at their hostel.

The fans, who are students, went berserk as they screamed Messi's name immediately after he was announced as the winner of the award.

The Inter Miami and Argentina star beat competition from Manchester City forward, Erling Haaland, and former PSG teammate, Kylian Mbappe, to win the award for a record eighth time.

In a video that has since gone viral on social media, the students chanted and celebrated wildly at their hostel.

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Football

Messi led Argentina to success at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and also played an influential role as Paris Saint-Germain were crowned French champions last season.

He left PSG to join Inter Miami in the summer transfer window, where he helped the Miami-based club win the 2023 Leagues Cup.

The former Barcelona forward dedicated his award to late Argentina legend, Diego Maradona.

“Today I wanted to mention Diego. There’s no better place to wish him happy birthday than here, around many people loving football, as he wanted. Wherever you are, Diego… happy birthday. This [award] also goes to you,” he said, as quoted by clutchpoints.com.

Rema reacts after Ballon d'Or performance

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Nigerian Afrobeats singer, Rema has expressed excitement after he thrilled spectators at the 67th Ballon d'Or Awards in Paris on Monday night.

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

Football

Rema delivered an energy-filled performance as footballers, former players, and fans were entertained at the Theatre du Chatelet.

The Calm Down singer took to social media to share his gratitude after he met the stars of world football through his music.

Messi crowned 2023 Ballon d'Or winner

Sports Brief also reported that Lionel Messi won the eighth Ballon d'Or of his remarkable career at a glittering ceremony in Paris on Monday, while Spain's World Cup-winning star, Aitana Bonmati took the women's prize.

For Messi, the trophy rewards, above all else, his inspirational performances at last year's World Cup in Qatar, when he dragged Argentina to victory, scoring seven goals and being named the tournament's best player.

It was the crowning moment of his astonishing career, and it allowed him to see off stiff competition, in particular from Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe, to take the award on the stage of the Chatelet Theatre in Paris.