Ballon D’Or 2023: Lionel Messi wins record-extending eighth award
Ballon D’Or 2023: Lionel Messi wins record-extending eighth award as the Argentinian beat Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland.
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Lionel Messi won 8th Ballon d’Or
There were hints from media days before the ceremony in Paris that Messi, no one else, would clinch the most prestigious individual award.
That’s why when the announcement was released, absolutely no one was surprised (maybe except for IShowSpeed).
Messi captained Argentina to 2022 World Cup success in Qatar last winter, the first time he won the tournament, which ended a 36-year wait for La Albiceleste.
The 36-year-old scored twice in a blockbuster final against France in December, which finished 3-3 after extra-time, scored in the penalty shoot-out, and was named player of the match.
He finished second in the top goalscorer charts with seven goals and received the Golden Ball after the tournament in recognition of his fine campaign.
In this year’s victory, the 36-year-old fought off competition from treble-winner Erling Haaland (Manchester City) and former PSG teammate Kylian Mbappe, let alone the other 26 nominees.
In a league title-winning season for PSG, he played 41 matches during the 2022/23 season, scored 21 goals, and provided 20 assists. It was also his last for the French giants before Messi departed for David Beckham’s Inter Miami.
What Lionel Messi said after receiving the 8th Ballon d’Or
On stage, he said: “Thank you very much, to share this with my national teammates 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.”
Fittingly, after his World Cup success, he added: “To finish, I want to say happy birthday to Diego Maradona.”
Messi moved to Inter Miami in MLS on a free transfer and was one of three players nominated for the award who do not currently play in Europe.
Speaking to his fellow nominees, he said: “Hats off to Kylian, Erling, Kevin, You guys are very young, you’ve achieved so much already, so plenty of time left.”
Years that Messi won the award
The former Barcelona forward spent 17 years with the Spanish club between 2004 and 2021 and won the award in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019 and 2021.
He was 22 years old when he won his first in 2009, and 14 years later, he sealed a record eighth award.
Portugal and Al Nassr captain Cristiano Ronaldo is in second place with five awards but was not nominated for the 2023 edition, the first time he has not been up for the award since 2003 (again, IShowSpeed would be gutted…)
There were plenty of nominations from the Premier League, with Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne, and Julian Alvarez among the seven Manchester City players put forward.
England’s Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, and Jude Bellingham were nominated.
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