Argentine superstar Lionel Messi has won the 2023 Ballon d’Or, making it a record-extending award for the 2022 World Cup winner.
Gatekeepers News reports that the Inter Miami star was named the winner of the prestigious prize on Monday night in Paris, France.
Messi, 36, succeeds Karim Benzema as the winner of the prize awarded for his performances last season, when he led the Argentines to a World Cup triumph late last year.
With the current feat, the Argentine player has won a total of eight Ballon d’Or awards. He clinched the award in 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021 and now 2023.
Messi won the award on Monday night against Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Erling Haaland (Manchester City), Martin Odegaard (Arsenal), Victor Osimhen (Napoli), and Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona); amongst many other male nominees.
Messi led his country to a victory that crowned his remarkable career, that allowed Messi to see off stiff competition from Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland in particular.
The former Barcelona superstar scored seven times at the World Cup and was named the tournament’s best player after Argentina beat France on penalties in the final in Doha.
Haaland came second in the final voting, Mbappe, third, and Kevin De Bruyne in fourth place.
With this award, Lionel Messi who is currently a player of American Club Inter Miami FC, becomes the first player to win the Ballon d’Or while playing for a team outside Europe.
His old PSG teammate Mbappe made his case with his remarkable performances at the World Cup, where he finished as the top scorer with eight goals after netting a hat-trick in the final for France.
Norway striker, Haaland scored an incredible 52 goals in 53 games for Manchester City as Pep Guardiola’s side won the treble of the English Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League.
Erling Haaland, Belgian, Kevin De Bruyne and Argentine, Julian Alvarez were among the members of that City team who were nominated.
See the list of Ballon d’Or 2023 nominees (Male) below:
Josko Gvardiol
Andre Onana
Karim Benzema
Mohamed Salah
Jamal Musiala
Bukayo Saka
Randal Kolo Muani
Jude Bellingham
Kevin De Bruyne
Bernardo Silva
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
Emiliano Martinez
Ruben Dias
Nicolo Barella
Erling Haaland
Martin Odegaard
Ilkay Gundogan
Yassine Bounou
Julian Alvarez
Vinicius Jr
Rodrigo
Lionel Messi (Winner)
Antoine Griezmann
Lautaro Martinez
Robert Lewandowski
Kim Min-Jae
Luka Modric
Kylian Mbappe
Victor Osimhen
Harry Kane
