- 18 hours ago
Lionel Messi wins 2023 Ballon d’Or
Carlo Garganese
- Updated: 30 Oct 2023 21:34 GMT
- 2 min read
The worst-kept secret in football has been officially confirmed: Lionel Messi has won the 2023 Ballon d’Or.
Already leaked by Spanish outlet Sport earlier this month, it has now been officially announced that Messi has comfortably been crowned as the winner of football’s most prestigious individual award.
It marks the eighth Ballon d’Or that Messi has won during his legendary career.
READ MORE: Who won Ballon d’Or 2023? Shortlist, favourites, latest odds
The 2023 Ballon d’Or ceremony took place on October 30 in Paris, with many of football's biggest stars in attendance, as well as other celebrities like tennis legend Novak Djokovic, who awarded Aitana Bonmati the women's Ballon d'Or.
Messi was long considered the red-hot favourite to win the award and was included on the 30-man shortlist for the prize.
Ballon d’Or shortlist
| Player | Club |
|---|---|
| Karim Benzema | Al-Ittihad |
| Josko Gvardiol | Man City |
| Jamal Musiala | Bayern |
| Andre Onana | Man Utd |
| Mohamed Salah | Liverpool |
| Randal Kolo Muani | PSG |
| Jude Bellingham | Real Madrid |
| Kevin de Bruyne | Man City |
| Bernardo Silva | Man City |
| Bukayo Saka | Arsenal |
| Khvicha Kvaratskhelia | Napoli |
| Nicolo Barella | Inter |
| Emiliano Martinez | Aston Villa |
| Ruben Dias | Man City |
| Erling Haaland | Man City |
| Yassine Bounou | Al-Hilal |
| Martin Odegaard | Arsenal |
| Julian Alvarez | Man City |
| Ilkay Gundogan | Barcelona |
| Vinicius Jr | Real Madrid |
| Lionel Messi | Inter Miami |
| Rodri | Man City |
| Lautaro Martinez | Inter |
| Antoine Griezmann | Atletico Madrid |
| Robert Lewandowski | Barcelona |
| Kim Min-jae | Bayern |
| Luka Modric | Real Madrid |
| Kylian Mbappe | PSG |
| Victor Osimhen | Napoli |
| Harry Kane | Bayern |
The previous holder of the Ballon d’Or was Karim Benzema, who finished 16th in the 2023 ranking.
Messi World Cup heroics
Messi won the Ballon d’Or off the back of his heroics for Argentina at the 2022 World Cup last November and December.
The 36-year-old enjoyed a legendary World Cup as he led the Albiceleste to their first triumph in 36 years.
The veteran was the player of the tournament, taking home the Golden Ball after scoring seven goals and providing three assists on the road to glory.
He scored in every knockout round and struck twice in the final as Argentina beat France 4-2 on penalties after a 3-3 draw.
Messi also enjoyed an excellent 2022-23 season with PSG, scoring 21 goals in 41 games.
He moved to Inter Miami in Major League Soccer this past summer and scored 11 goals in 14 games.
