Argentina and Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi has been crowned the winner of the Men’s 2023 Ballon d’Or award for a record-extending eight times at the 67th edition of the ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, France.
The 36-year-old beat competition from Manchester City forward Erling Haaland, who won the Gerd Muller Trophy as the best striker in the world across the season, and France and Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe, who won the Golden Boot at last year’s World Cup.
Messi was presented with the Ballon d’Or trophy by Inter Miami co-owner and former England midfielder David Beckham on a fitting occasion held on the posthumous birthday of Argentine legend and former captain Diego Armando Maradona.
“Wherever you are, happy birthday Diego! This trophy is also for you,” Messi said.
M8️⃣SSI#ballondor pic.twitter.com/ebEE6bOk1C
— Ballon d’Or #ballondor (@ballondor) October 30, 2023
He led Argentina to a historic triumph in Qatar in 2022, bringing an end to a 36-year wait for the Albiceleste following their last win in the 1986 edition of the Mundial.
The former Barcelona man captained his side to victory in what may have been his last World Cup for the national team, finishing with seven goals and eventually winning the Golden Ball award as the best player at the tournament.
He scored twice in the nail-biting final against France, which ended 3-3 after extra-time, converted his spot-kick in the penalty shoot-out, and was subsequently crowned player of the match in the final.
After receiving the award, the iconic No. 10 said: “Hats off to Kylian [Mbappe], Erling [Haaland], Kevin [De Bruyne]. You guys are very young, you’ve achieved so much already, so plenty of time left.”
“Thank you very much, to share this with my national team-mates for what we were able to achieve with the national team.
“The entire group, the coaching staff, everyone involved. I’m delighted to be here once more to be able to enjoy this moment one more time.
“To be able to win the World Cup and really achieve my dream, to share this with all those who were involved.”
Messi won the French Ligue 1, with PSG scoring 21 goals and providing 20 assists in 41 matches during the 2022–23 season.
At the World Cup in Qatar, he scored twice in the group stage against Mexico and Poland. In the knockout rounds, he scored in every single game against Australia, the Netherlands, and Croatia before firing Lionel Scaloni’s side to victory in the final.
Messi, however, wasn’t the only big winner of the night, as Barcelona midfielder and Women’s World Cup winner Aitana Bonmati topped the women’s category, beating off competition from Sam Kerr of Chelsea and Australia and club teammate and compatriot Salma Paralluelo.
The 25-year-old won the treble with the Catalan side during the 2022–23 season before leading Spain to victory in Australia and New Zealand this summer, where she won the Golden Ball award as the competition’s best player, finishing with three goals and two assists, including a brace in a 5-1 win against Switzerland.
Bonmati was presented with the award by Tennis World No. 1 and 24-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic.
