Ballon d'Or 2023: 'Lionel Messi Is Infinity' - The Argentine Wins Record 8th Ballon d'Or
“Messi is infinity” – this was written on the stage as the Argentine legend Lionel Messi won his 8th Ballon d”Or, a record that will require another generational talent to surpass. The 36-year-old”s performance in leading La Albiceleste to victory in the Qatar World Cup helped him outshine several other football talents, earning him the coveted award presented by the French news magazine France Football since 1956. Lionel Messi, who is currently playing for Major League Soccer side Inter Miami, beat Manchester City”s Norwegian goal machine Erling Haaland and Paris Saint-Germain”s French sensation Kylian Mbappe to secure his 8th Ballon d”Or.
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The prolific football maestro already holds several other records, including the most goals in La Liga (474), the most hat-tricks in La Liga (36) and the UEFA Champions League (eight), the most assists in La Liga (192) and the Copa América (17). Additionally, he boasts the most international goals by a South American male (106).
💬 The speech of the 2023 Ballon d”Or winner, Lionel Messi #ballondor pic.twitter.com/HRaNdRwclG
— Ballon d”Or #ballondor (@ballondor) October 30, 2023
Ballon d”Or 2023 ranking:
- Lionel Messi (Inter Miami)
- Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
- Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint German)
- Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)
- Rodrigo (Manchester City)
- Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid)
- Julian Alvarez (Manchester City)
- Victor Osimhen (Napoli)
- Bernardo Silva (Manchester City)
- Luka Modric (Real Madrid)
Here is the full 2023 Men”s Ballon d”Or ranking ⬇️ #ballondor📷 pic.twitter.com/9V55O0R87M
— Ballon d”Or #ballondor (@ballondor) October 30, 2023
Other major players shortlisted for Ballon d”Or included Josko Gvardiol (RB Leipzig and Manchester City), Andre Onana (Inter Milan and Manchester United), Karim Benzema (Real Madrid and Al-Ittihad), Mohamed Salah (Liverpool), Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Randal Kolo Muani (Eintracht Frankfurt and Paris Saint-Germain), Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid), Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Napoli), Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa), Ruben Dias (Manchester City), Nicolo Barella (Inter Milan), Martin Odegaard (Arsenal), Ilkay Gundogan (Manchester City and Barcelona), Yassine Bounou (Sevilla and Al-Hilal), Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid), Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan), Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona), Kim Min-jae (Napoli and Bayern Munich), and Harry Kane (Tottenham and Bayern Munich).
MESSI IS INFINITY! #ballondor pic.twitter.com/EMKaeY6oWI
— Ballon d”Or #ballondor (@ballondor) October 30, 2023
Ballon d”Or 2023: Other winners
Aitana, it”s your moment! #ballondor pic.twitter.com/S1ZsL02hm7
— Ballon d”Or #ballondor (@ballondor) October 30, 2023
Spain and FC Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati is the 2023 Women’s Ballon d’Or.
Argentinian and Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez won the 2023 Yachine Trophy, awarded to the best goalkeeper.
English and Real Madrid midfielder 20-year-old Jude Bellingham won the 2023 Kopa Trophy. This award, named after former Ballon d”Or winner Raymond Kopa, is presented to the best U21 player in the world.
The Sócrates Award, given for humanitarian efforts and named after Brazilian footballer Sócrates, was awarded to Brazilian and Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr. for founding the Instituto Vini.Jr.
Norway and Manchester City forward Erling Haaland won the Gerd Muller Award for scoring most goals in the previous season.
Manchester City, which won the Continental Treble (UEFA Champions League, FA Cup, and English Premier League) last year, is the Men”s Club of the Year.
