Messi Wins Historic Eighth Ballon d’Or Trophy, Haaland Named Best Forward
On the evening of October 30th, the highly anticipated 2023 Ballon d’Or awards ceremony took place at the Chatelet Theater in Paris, organized by “France Football” magazine. Football fans around the world eagerly awaited the announcement of who would be crowned as the best player of the year. As expected, Argentine legend Lionel Messi emerged victorious, securing his eighth Ballon d’Or trophy and etching his name in football history.
Messi’s achievement is unprecedented, breaking his own record for the most Ballon d’Or awards. The prestigious trophy was presented to him by English football superstar and owner of Messi’s new club, Inter Miami, David Beckham. The 2022-2023 season has been exceptional for Messi, both in terms of individual achievements and team success.
Last December, Messi led the Argentina national team to a historic triumph in Qatar, winning the World Cup as captain. It marked Messi’s first-ever World Cup triumph and a dream come true for the football icon. However, it wasn’t just the World Cup victory that propelled Messi to the pinnacle of global recognition. Throughout the season, Messi delivered exceptional performances, scoring 38 goals in 54 games. His contributions played a pivotal role in his former club, Paris Saint-Germain, clinching two championships in the French Football League and the French Super Cup.
In addition to the Ballon d’Or, Messi was also honored as the best foreign player in Ligue 1 and the French Super Cup. Meanwhile, his teammate in the Argentina national team, Emiliano Martinez, earned the Yashin Award for the best goalkeeper. The significance of this year’s Ballon d’Or victory wasn’t lost on Messi, who expressed his desire to share the award with his fellow Argentinians.
During the press conference following the ceremony, Messi reflected on his unique and special journey, stating, “It’s a different and special year. I’ve had some great years because I’ve been part of the best teams in the world. But the World Cup has a special meaning because I’ve been dreaming of winning it with the national team since I was a child.” Despite his numerous accolades and individual successes, the World Cup is the only major title missing from Messi’s illustrious career.
While Messi’s triumph was widely expected, the evening also saw the recognition of other exceptional players. Norwegian striker Erling Haaland secured the title of the best forward, impressing with his remarkable record of 56 goals in 57 games last season. Haaland’s outstanding performances helped his Manchester City teammates secure the Champions League, Premier League, and English FA Cup titles.
French superstar Kylian Mbappe, who was once considered a strong contender for the Ballon d’Or, finished in third place. Mbappe contributed 54 goals in 56 games last season and left a lasting mark on the World Cup final, scoring a memorable hat-trick against Messi’s Argentina team.
In the women’s category, the Ballon d’Or was awarded to Spanish midfielder Bonmati, who represents Barcelona women’s football team. Bonmati had an exceptional season, winning prestigious titles such as the UEFA Women’s Champions League and the Spanish Super Cup with Barcelona. Moreover, she played a vital role in Spain’s victory in the 2023 Women’s World Cup final against England, earning her the Golden Ball award for the tournament.
The 2023 Ballon d’Or ceremony marked another milestone in the illustrious careers of Messi, Haaland, and Bonmati. Their exceptional performances and contributions to their respective teams have solidified their positions as icons of the beautiful game.