Lionel Messi won the 2023 Ballon d’Or, winning the award for a record-extending eighth time; The Argentina captain led his country to glory at the World Cup last year as they lifted the trophy for the first time; Spanish midfielder Aitana Bonmatti won the Women’s Ballon d’Or after helping her national team qualify for the World Cup.
23:17 UK time, Monday 30 October 2023
Argentine striker Lionel Messi won the Ballon d’Or for the eighth time, while Spanish midfielder Aitana Bonmatti won the women’s Ballon d’Or.
Messi, who now plays for Inter Miami, led his country to glory at the World Cup last year, lifting the trophy for the first time and winning the Ballon d’Or for best player of the tournament in Qatar.
The 36-year-old player regained the Ballon d’Or from Frenchman Karim Benzema, adding it to his victories in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019 and 2021.
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The former Barcelona striker’s victory strengthens his lead over the five-time title winner Cristiano Ronaldo. The 38-year-old Portuguese international, who plays for Saudi club Al-Nassr, was not shortlisted for the first time since 2003.
Messi left European football at the end of last season, moving from Paris Saint-Germain, where he won the French League title in two seasons, to join the American team Inter Miami.
Messi received the award from David Beckham, owner of Inter Miami and 1999 Ballon d’Or runner-up, and the Argentine admitted that this would be his last Ballon d’Or win.
“I couldn’t imagine having the career I had,” he said.
“Everything I achieved. The luck I had to play for the best team in the world, the best team in history. It’s good to win these individual titles. Win the Copa America and then the World Cup, and get the championship title.” It was amazingly done.
“Being world champion was amazing. But the truth is that I was never used to receiving awards and being on stage like this.
“I’ve been getting used to it a little more slowly since I won it for the first time in 2009. I think today is the last time I’ll win it, so I’m feeling calm and I’ll enjoy it in a different way.
“I’m proud of the career I’ve had. I’ve enjoyed football all my life and soon I’ll be enjoying it on the other side.
He added: “I don’t know how long I will continue playing, but I plan to enjoy it.
“I can’t put a number because things can change so quickly from day to day in football. But I know that day is getting closer and closer.”
Haaland comes in second place as City dominates the top ten
Erling Haaland offers advice to aspiring footballers as he collects the Gerd Muller Trophy at the Ballon d’Or ceremony.
Messi won the 2023 Ballon d’Or in Paris, ahead of the Manchester City striker Erling Haalandwho scored 52 goals last season to help City achieve the treble with the Paris Saint-Germain and France striker Kylian MbappeThe second player to score a hat-trick in the World Cup, he ranked third.
Haaland did not leave the Ballon d’Or ceremony empty-handed after receiving the Gerd Muller Trophy after setting records last season.
Meanwhile, his team, Man City, was named the Men’s Club of the Year for the second year in a row after winning the treble.
Pep Guardiola’s side also had five players in their top 10 Ballon d’Or list Kevin De Bruyne He ranked fourth while Rhodri The fifth came Julian Alvarez – who is also a teammate of Messi at international level – finished seventh Bernardo Silva It was the ninth.
Bonmati wins first women’s Ballon d’Or
After winning the Women’s Ballon d’Or, Aitana Bonmati said that as role models, she and her fellow nominees must continue to fight together for a world of peace and equality.
Barcelona midfielder Bonmatti won the Women’s Ballon d’Or for the first time, helping Spain to its first World Cup glory last August, winning the league and Champions League double at club level.
Bonmati won the Golden Ball for Best Player at the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, while she was recently named European Women’s Player of the Year.
The 25-year-old became the second Spanish player to win the Women’s Ballon d’Or after her compatriot Barcelona. Alexia Putellas He won the award the last two years.
Bonmati beat the Chelsea and Australia striker Sam Kerr He received the award, while the goalkeeper of the England national team and Manchester United Mary Earps He finished fifth in the voting after winning the Gold Glove at the World Cup.
Fellow lionesses Rachel Daly (The tenth), Milly Brite (11) And Georgia Stanway (23rd place) He was among the nominees for the fifth edition of the Women’s Award, along with Arsenal and the Republic of Ireland. Katie McCabe Finish 22.
Meanwhile, Bonmati’s Barcelona won the Women’s Club of the Year award after winning the Champions League and La Liga titles last season.
Aston Villa player Martinez wins the best goalkeeper award
Argentina and Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez He won the Yashin Award for the best goalkeeper in the world.
Martinez received the award ahead of Manchester City Ederson For his heroics at last year’s World Cup to help his country lift the trophy.
The 31-year-old became the second Premier League goalkeeper to win the Yashin Cup after his debut in 2019, with the inaugural award won by Liverpool’s Alisson Becker.
Men’s Ballon d’Or 2023 – Top 30
1. Lionel Messi (Argentina, Inter Miami)
2. Erling Haaland (Norway, Manchester City)
3. Kylian Mbappe (France, Paris Saint-Germain)
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, Naples)
9. Bernardo Silva (Portugal, Manchester City)
10. Luka Modric (Croatia, Real Madrid)
11. Mohamed Salah (Egypt, Liverpool)
12. Robert Lewandowski (Poland, Barcelona)
13. Yacine 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, Naples)
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. Jusko Gvardiol (Croatia, Manchester City)
26. Jamal Musiala (Germany, Bayern Munich)
27. Nicolo Barella (Italy, Inter Milan)
=28. Martin Odegaard (Norway, Arsenal)
=28. Randall Kolo Mwani (France, Paris Saint-Germain)
30. Ruben Dias (Portugal, Manchester City)
Women’s Ballon d’Or 2023 – Top 10
1. Aitana Bonmatti (Spain, Barcelona)
2. Sam Kerr (Australia, Chelsea)
3. Salma Baralloelo (Spain, Barcelona)
4. Fredolina Rulfo (Sweden, Barcelona)
5. Mary Earps (England, Manchester United)
6. Olga Carmona (Spain, Real Madrid)
7. Alexandra Pope (Germany, Wolfsburg)
8. Patricia Guijarro (Spain, Barcelona)
9. Linda Caicedo (Colombia, Real Madrid)
10. Rachel Daly (England, Aston Villa)
