Lionel Messi WINS the Ballon d’Or 2023 award

Lionel Messi has clinched his eighth Ballon d’Or title, winning the men’s award at the 2023 ceremony following his outstanding season leading Argentina to World Cup glory Before moving to Inter Miami in the summer, the 36-year-old masterminded Argentina’s victory in Qatar, scoring twice during the final, while also finding the back of the net during a penalty shoot-out, to help the team defeat 2018 winners France.

He also scored a whopping 32 goals in 55 games across all competitions for PSG, to help the side clinch the Ligue 1 title.

David Beckham, the co-owner of Inter Miami, presented him with the coveted award at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, to a standing ovation from members of the crowd.

‘It’s nice to be here once more to enjoy this moment,’ said Messi. ‘To be able to win the World Cup and achieve my dream.’

2023 Ballon d’Or rankings

1st Lionel Messi (Inter Miami)

2nd Erling Haaland (Man City)

3rd Kylian Mbappe (PSG)

4th Kevin de Bruyne (Man City)

5th Rodri (Man City)

6th Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid)

7th Julian Alvarez (Man City)

8th Victor Osimhen (Napoli)

9th Bernardo Silva (Man City)

10th Luka Modric (Real Madrid)

11th Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)

13th Yassine Bounou (Al-Hilal)

14th Ilkay Gundogan (Barcelona)

15th Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa)

16th Karim Benzema (Al-Ittihad)

17th Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Napoli)

18th Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)

19th Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)

20th Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan)

21st Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid)

22nd – Kim Min-Jae (Bayern Munich)

23rd – Andre Onana (Manchester United)

24th – Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)

25th – Josko Gvardiol (Man City)

26th – Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich)

27th – Nicola Barella (Inter Milan)

= 28th – Randal Kolo Muani (Paris Saint Germain) and Martin Odegaard (Arsenal)

30th – Ruben Dias (Man City)