Lionel Messi Clinches Historic Eighth Ballon d'Or
In an extraordinary achievement for the world of football, Lionel Messi has been crowned the winner of the 2023 Ballon d’Or, marking his unprecedented eighth win of this prestigious award.
At 36, the Argentine forward, now dazzling the crowds at Inter Miami following a lauded tenure at Paris Saint-Germain, has not only stretched his lead in the history books but also underscored his enduring prowess in the sport.
Messi's journey to this accolade was punctuated by his captaincy of Argentina's national team, leading them to glory at the World Cup in Qatar, thus breaking a 36-year spell for Argentina. This triumph, coupled with his instrumental role in securing yet another Ligue 1 title for PSG, ensured his edge over formidable competitors like Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe.
The Elite Thirty: A Comprehensive Breakdown
As Messi lifted the trophy on the evening of October 30 in Paris, attention also turned to the rest of the contenders who filled out the 30-man shortlist. Here's a detailed look at the complete rankings and the reasons behind their standings:
Lionel Messi (Inter Miami): Capping a year where he won the long-elusive World Cup and transitioning seamlessly into his career at Inter Miami, Messi's eighth Ballon d'Or win not only cements his legendary status but also signals that his magic on the field is far from over.
Erling Haaland (Man City): Scoring a phenomenal 52 goals, Haaland's impact at City was transformative, marking him as a true footballing phenomenon.
Kylian Mbappe (PSG): A World Cup hero with a final hat-trick, Mbappe's outstanding performances at both the national and club levels were rightly celebrated.
Kevin De Bruyne (Man City): De Bruyne continued to orchestrate Man City's play, driving them to multiple titles with his exceptional midfield mastery.
Rodri (Man City): As a versatile midfielder, Rodri's influence in both defense and attack was crucial for Man City's triumphant campaign.
Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid): Madrid's new star, Vinicius Jr, dazzled with over 20 goals and assists, becoming an essential player for his team.
Julian Alvarez (Man City): Alvarez emerged as a pivotal player for both Argentina in the World Cup and Man City in their historic season.
Victor Osimhen (Napoli): Osimhen's striking abilities, yielding 26 goals in Serie A, were a cornerstone of Napoli's strong showing.
Bernardo Silva (Man City): Silva's consistent performances, especially in the Champions League, underscored his value to a triumphant Man City side.
Luka Modric (Real Madrid): Modric, though aging, continued to display his class on the biggest stages, contributing significantly to Real Madrid's campaigns.
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool): Despite a dip in his goal tally, Salah remained a critical attacking force for Liverpool.
Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona): Even in a slightly subdued season, Lewandowski's goal-scoring prowess drove Barcelona to La Liga success.
Yassine Bounou (Al-Hilal): A key figure in Morocco's World Cup campaign, Bounou also shone in Sevilla's Europa League victory.
Ilkay Gundogan (Barcelona): Gundogan stepped up crucially for Man City during Haaland's lean spell, later making a switch to Barcelona.
Emi Martinez (Aston Villa): Martinez's heroics in goal were a pivotal part of Argentina's World Cup success, marked by some memorable saves.
Karim Benzema (Al-Ittihad): Despite an injury-marred season at Real Madrid, Benzema's goal-scoring abilities remained sharp and influential.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Napoli): A revelation in Serie A, Kvaratskhelia was a key figure in Napoli's long-awaited Scudetto win.
Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid): The English midfielder, only 20, displayed remarkable skill and consistency, both for Dortmund and now with Real Madrid.
Harry Kane (Bayern Munich): Kane continued to excel as one of Europe's leading strikers, maintaining a prolific goal-scoring record for Spurs.
Lautaro Martinez (Inter): Beyond winning a World Cup medal, Martinez's role in Inter's success last season was undeniable.
Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid): A standout performer in La Liga, Griezmann's 31 goal contributions for Atletico Madrid were critical.
Kim Min-Jae (Bayern Munich): Nicknamed 'The Monster', Kim was instrumental in Napoli's Serie A triumph, later moving to Bayern to work under Thomas Tuchel.
Andre Onana (Manchester United): Onana's impressive goalkeeping skills were a cornerstone of Inter's run to the Champions League final.
Bukayo Saka (Arsenal): Saka, the PFA Young Player of the Year, was pivotal in Arsenal's remarkable performance in the Premier League, showcasing his talent with goals and assists.
Josko Gvardiol (Man City): After a remarkable season with both Croatia and RB Leipzig, Gvardiol's switch to Man City was a testament to his growing repute.
Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich): Bayern's young star, Musiala, emerged as a key player with his contributions crucial in their push for Bundesliga glory.
Nicolo Barella (Inter): Integral to Inter's midfield, Barella's dynamism and skill have rightly earned him widespread acclaim and recognition.
Randal Kolo Muani (PSG): Earning his move to PSG after a stellar season with Frankfurt and an impressive World Cup, Muani has cemented his position as a top talent in France.
Martin Odegaard (Arsenal): Arsenal's captain shone brightly, outperforming his peers with a tally of 15 goals and seven assists, firmly establishing himself as one of Europe's finest.
Ruben Dias (Manchester City): A lynchpin in Man City's defensive line during their incredible 2022-23 season, Dias's contributions were crucial in their treble-winning campaign.
Emi Martinez was ranked 15th in the Ballon d’Or and won the Lev Yashin Trophy much thanks to this iconic save in the ending seconds of the World Cup final
Other prices awarded last night:
Women’s Ballon d’Or: Aitana Bonmati
Men’s Club of the Year: Manchester City
Gerd Müller Trophy: Erling Haaland
Lev Yashin Trophy: Emi Martinez
Socrates Award: Vinicius Jr.
Kopa Trophy: Jude Bellingham
