Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi has claimed his eighth Ballon d’Or, edging out Manchester City striker, Erling Haaland and ex-PSG team-mate, Kylian Mbappe for the top honour.
The Argentine captain achieved the crowning glory of his unparalleled career when he spectacularly led Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar last year. The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain megastar then joined Inter Miami in July and immediately set MLS alight with a string of spellbinding performances.
Barcelona ladies and Spain star Aitana Bonmati won the Women’s Ballon d’Or award while Erling Haaland won the Gerd Muller Trophy 2023 after firing Manchester City to the treble last season.
Haaland won the award for the highest-scoring male player in 2022/23, thanks to the 56 goals he bagged for City and Norway. The 23-year-old narrowly pipped Kylian Mbappe to the prize, after the Frenchman scored 55 times for Paris Saint-Germain and France.
Haaland enjoyed a record-breaking first season at City following his £51 million ($62m) move from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2022. The striker scored 36 league goals, breaking the previous 34-goal record for the most goals scored in a single Premier League campaign. In all competitions he scored 52 goals in 53 games as Pep Guardiola’s side won the league, FA Cup and Champions League.
2023 BALLON D’OR AWARD Winners – Lionel Messi wins the Ballon d’Or for an eighth time – Aitana Bonmati wins Ballon d’Or Feminin 2023
– Jude Bellingham wins Kopa Trophy – Vinicius Jr succeeeds Sadio Mane as winner of Socrates award – Barcelona win Club of the Year award for FCB Femeni’s triumphs in 22/23. – Emi Martinez wins Yashin Trophy for best goalkeeper. – Erling Haaland wins Gerd Muller award for most goals.
– Man City win Club of the Year for men’s game after treble triumph