Lionel Messi wins the Ballon d’OR 2023 award beating Erling Haaland to the coveted prize
- Lionel Messi won his eighth Ballon d’Or title in Paris on Monday evening
- The World Cup winner won Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé
Lionel Messi has secured his eighth Ballon d’Or title, winning the men’s prize at the 2023 ceremony, following his excellent season for Paris Saint-Germain and Argentina.
Before moving to Inter Miami in the summer, the 36-year-old masterminded Argentina’s 2022 World Cup victory, scoring twice during the match before netting again in a penalty shoot-out to help his team to beat the 2018 winner, France.
He also scored 32 goals in 55 league appearances for PSG, helping the side win the Ligue 1 title.
David Beckham, co-owner of his current club, presented him with the award at the Theater du Chatelet in Paris to a standing ovation from the audience.
“It’s nice to be here again and enjoy this moment,” Messi said. ‘To be able to win the World Cup and make my dream come true.’
Didier Drogba, who officiated at the ceremony, asked if this Ballon d’Or was more special as it came from winning the 2022 World Cup, to which the 36-year-old replied: “They are all special.”
He 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.
âTo win the Copa America and win the World Cup after all those difficult moments in the national teams,â Messi continues.
Beckham said: âIt’s very special to say he’s a Miami player and he’s in our city. He will celebrate this in his own way with his teammates and his family.
âWe’ll do our best to celebrate the Miami way. I’m sure we can make it a good party.’
He beat some tough competition with Erling Haaland in second, Kylian Mbappe in third and Kevin De Bruyne in fourth.
Six Man City players were included in the rankings, four of which: Haalan, Rodri (5th), Julien Alvarez (7th) Bernardo Silva (9th) reached the top ten.
It was a big night for Man City, with the club also taking home the best team award, while Haaland claimed the Gerd MĂŒller Trophy for best striker, following his stunning 52-goal season that helped City win the Premier League , FA Cup and Champions League.
Former Chelsea star Drogba kicked off the show with players from both men’s and women’s football, alongside some big names from the sporting world, from David Beckham to even Novak Djokovic.
Vinicius Jr. took sixth place behind Rodri in the top 10 and was also awarded the Socrates Prize earlier in the evening, in recognition of the work he has done off the football field in the fight against racism.
Napoli star Victor Osimhen, who scored an impressive 31 goals in 39 appearances for Serie A, was eighth in the rankings, one place ahead of Bernardo Silva.
Real Madrid’s Luka Modric claimed 10th spot in the table, while Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah finished 11th, narrowly missing out on the top ten despite an excellent 2022-23 season for Liverpool, scoring 30 goals in 51 games.
Several big names from the Premier League were also named in the top 30 players, with Arsenal duo Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard finishing 24th and 28th respectively in the standings, while Manchester United’s Andre Onana, after his excellent performance against Man City on Sunday 23rd.
Jude Bellingham, who masterminded Real Madrid’s 2-1 win in El Clasico on Saturday, his first appearance in the derby, finished 18th in the standings while also claiming the Kopa Trophy for best young player.
He also beat Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane, who finished 19th in the standings despite his 32 goals last season.
More to follow…