Ballon d’Or 2023: Messi beats Haaland to win for eighth time

Inter Miami CF star Lionel Messi has gained the Ballon d’Or for a document eighth time, warding off competitors from Manchester City striker Erling Haaland after main Argentina to the World Cup final yr.

Messi, 36, turns into the primary MLS-based participant to declare the coveted prize, though the triumph comes largely on the again of his exploits along with his nation in Qatar. Former Manchester United participant and Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham handed his prize-signing Messi the award in Paris.

Haaland, who scored 52 targets final season as City gained the Treble in 2022-23, completed second within the voting and gained the Gerd Muller Trophy given to the very best striker of the yr.

“I couldn’t imagine having the career that I’ve had. Everything that I’ve achieved,” Messi mentioned after getting his award. “The fortune I’ve had playing for the best team in the world, the best team in history. It’s nice to win these individual trophies.

“To win the Copa America after which the World Cup, to get it completed is superb. All of them [Ballon d’Or awards] are particular for completely different causes.”

Prior to Messi receiving his award, Barcelona and Spain midfielder Aitana Bonmatí won the Ballon d’Or Féminin after a record-breaking year with club and country. She helped Barça win Liga F and the Champions League last season, before leading Spain to World Cup glory in the summer.

In other awards handed out on Monday, Messi’s Argentina teammate Emiliano Martinez won the Yashin Trophy for best goalkeeper and England and Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham was handed the Kopa Trophy as the world’s top player under the age of 21.

During his acceptance speech, Messi made a point of wishing Argentina countryman Diego Maradona happy birthday. The 1986 World Cup winner, who died on Nov. 22, 2020, would have been 63 on Monday.

“My final point out is for Diego [Maradona],” Messi said. “Today is his birthday. So I would love to bear in mind him from right here, surrounded by the very best gamers, coaches and individuals who love soccer like he did.

“Wherever you are, Diego, happy birthday. This goes also to you.”

Even prior to Monday’s ceremony in Paris, no participant had gained the Ballon d’Or extra occasions than Messi, who first gained it in 2009 after which once more in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019 and 2021.

Cristiano Ronaldo has gained it 5 occasions, whereas Michel Platini, Johan Cruyff and Marco van Basten are all three-time winners.

Messi scored 21 targets in 41 appearances final season as Paris Saint-Germain retained the Ligue 1 title earlier than transferring to Inter Miami earlier this yr.

Since transferring to the U.S., he has scored 11 targets in 14 video games for Miami, serving to the franchise win its first-ever piece of silverware, the Leagues Cup.

However, he missed a number of matches by means of damage on the finish of the common MLS season as Gerardo “Tata” Martino’s aspect got here up quick of their late push for a playoff spot.

It is Messi’s performances on the World Cup on the finish of 2022 which have earned him an eighth Ballon d’Or, although, as Argentina ended a 36-year wait to be topped world champions for the third time.

Messi, as captain, was instrumental to Argentina’s success in Qatar, scoring seven targets and helping three extra as he was named because the Player of the Tournament.

He scored twice within the remaining and once more within the penalty shootout in opposition to France as Lionel Scaloni’s group edged one of the crucial memorable showpieces within the competitors’s historical past.

Having come up quick with Argentina at 4 earlier World Cups, together with dropping the 2014 remaining to Germany, it was deemed by many to be his final likelihood to get his fingers on soccer’s greatest prize.

At 36 years and 4 months previous, he additionally turns into the second oldest participant to ever win the Ballon d’Or, changing final yr’s winner Karim Benzema. Only the inaugural winner, Stanley Matthews in 1956, was older when he gained it aged 41.

Messi’s first six Ballons d’Or had been gained whereas he performed for Barcelona, the place he’s the membership’s document goalscorer and look holder, whereas he gained it for a seventh time shortly after becoming a member of PSG in 2021 following Copa America success with Argentina.