By Samuel A. October 31, 2023
2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, and now, 2023 has seen Barcelona legend, Argentina’s hero and Inter Miami CF star, Lionel Messi, win a record EIGHTH Ballon d’Or, beating Manchester City striker Erling Haaland for the award after leading Argentina to the World Cup last year in what was more or less like a fairytale. The 36 year old football legend became the first player based in the American MLS to claim the most coveted individual prize in the football world, even though 99% of the triumph is based on his genius display in Qatar.
Erling Haaland, who on the other hand, scored 52 goals last season as Man City won the treble, finished second in the voting and won the Gerd Muller Trophy given to the best striker of the year.
“I couldn’t imagine having the career that I’ve had. Everything that I’ve achieved,” Messi said after getting his award. “The fortune I’ve had playing for the best team in the world, the best team in history. It’s nice to win these individual trophies. To win the Copa America and then the World Cup, to get it done is amazing. All of them [Ballon d’Or awards] are special for different reasons.”
Messi also made a point of wishing Argentina countryman Diego Maradona happy birthday. The 1986 World Cup winner, who died on Nov. 22, 2020, would have been 63 on Monday. “My last mention is for Diego,” he said. “Today is his birthday. So I would like to remember him from here, surrounded by the best players, coaches and people who love football like he did. Wherever you are, Diego, happy birthday. This goes also to you.”
The 36 year old reclaimed the Ballon d’Or from France’s Karim Benzema. Before Monday’s ceremony in Paris, no player had won the Ballon d’Or more times than Messi, who first won it in 2009 and then again in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019 and 2021, so the eighth just made him extend his gap at the top, bringing about the theme used to celebrate him : “Messi is infinity.”
Prior to Leo Messi receiving his award, Barcelona and Spanish midfielder, Aitana Bonmatí won the Ballon d’Or Féminin after her record breaking year with club and country, helping Barça win the LaLiga F and the Champions League last season, before leading Spain to World Cup glory in the summer.
In other awards handed out on Monday, Messi’s Argentina teammate Emiliano Martinez won the Yashin Trophy for best goalkeeper after his World Cup heroics and England and Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham was handed the Kopa Trophy as the world’s top player under the age of 21.
Manchester City and Barcelona Femini also won Team of the Year for the male and female categories respectfully, and Vinicius Junior was awarded the Socrates award – a prize which was created to acknowledge footballers for their humanitarian work.
Here’s the 2023 Men’s Ballon D’or Top 30 in full :
1. Lionel Messi (Argentina, Inter Miami)
2. Erling Haaland (Norway, Manchester City)
3. Kylian Mbappe (France, PSG)
4. Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium, Manchester City)
5. Rodri (Spain, Manchester City)
6. Vinicius Junior (Brazil, Real Madrid)
7. Julian Alvarez (Argentina, Manchester City)
8. Victor Osimhen (Nigeria, Napoli)
9. Bernardo Silva (Portugal, Manchester City)
10. Luka Modric (Croatia, Real Madrid)
11. Mohamed Salah (Egypt, Liverpool)
12. Robert Lewandowski (Poland, Barcelona)
13. Yassine Bounou (Morocco, Al Hilal)
14. Ilkay Gundogan (Germany, Barcelona)
15. Emiliano Martinez (Argentina, Aston Villa)
16. Karim Benzema (France, Al Ittihad)
17. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Georgia, Napoli)
18. Jude Bellingham (England, Real Madrid)
19. Harry Kane (England, Bayern Munich)
20. Lautaro Martinez (Argentina, Inter Milan)
21. Antoine Griezmann (France, Atletico Madrid)
22. Min-Jae Kim (South Korea, Bayern Munich)
23. Andre Onana (Cameroon, Manchester United)
24. Bukayo Saka (England, Arsenal)
25. Josko Gvardiol (Croatia, Manchester City)
26. Jamal Musiala (Germany, Bayern Munich)
27. Nicolo Barella (Italy, Inter Milan)
28. Martin Odegaard (Norway, Arsenal)
29. Randal Kolo Muani (France, PSG)
30. Ruben Dias (Portugal, Manchester City)
