Lionel Messi has won the 2023 Ballon d’Or, in spectacular fashion making it a back to back record awarded in 2022 as well.
The Argentine and Inter Miami star was named the winner of the prestigious prize on Monday night in Paris, France.
Messi, who is 36 years old recieves the Batton from Karim Benzema as the winner of the converted prize last season, when he led the Argentines to a World Cup triumph late last year.
Haaland came second in the final voting, Mbappe, third, and Kevin De Bruyne in fourth place.
With the current feat, the Argentine player has won a total of eight Ballon d’Or awards which he claimed victory in a star studded lineup in 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021 and now 2023.
Messi won the award on Monday night against Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Erling Haaland (Manchester City), Martin Odegaard (Arsenal), Victor Osimhen (Napoli), and Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona); amongst many other male nominees.
Messi led his country to a victory that crowned his remarkable career, that allowed Messi to see off stiff competition from Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland in particular.
The former Barcelona superstar scored seven times at the World Cup and was named the tournament’s best player after Argentina beat France on penalties in the final in Doha.
With this award, Lionel Messi who is currently a player of American Club Inter Miami FC, becomes the first player to win the Ballon d’Or while playing for a team outside Europe.
His old PSG teammate Mbappe made his case with his remarkable performances at the World Cup, where he finished as the top scorer with eight goals after netting a hat-trick in the final for France.
Norway striker, Haaland scored an incredible 52 goals in 53 games for Manchester City as Pep Guardiola’s side won the treble of the English Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League.
Erling Haaland, Belgian, Kevin De Bruyne and Argentine, Julian Alvarez were among the members of that City team who were nominated.
Below is the list of Ballon d’Or 2023 nominees for the Male category:
-Josko Gvardiol
-Andre Nana
-Karim Benzema
-Mohamed Salah
-Jamal Musiala
-Bukayo Saka
-Randal Kolo Muani
-Jude Bellingham
-Kevin De Bruyne
-Bernardo Silva
-Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
-Emiliano Martinez
-Ruben Dias
-Nicolo Barella
-Erling Haaland
-Martin Odegaard
-Ilkay Gundogan
-Yassine Bounou
-Julian Alvarez
-Vinicius Jr
-Rodrigo
-Lionel Messi (Winner)
-Antoine Griezmann
-Lautaro Martinez
-Robert Lewandowski
-Kim Min-Jae
-Luka Modric
-Kylian Mbappe
-Victor Osimhen
-Harry Cane
(C) ControlTV 2023.
