The wait is over as the 2023 Ballon d’Or winner has been revealed to be Lionel Messi, who beat Gerd Muller trophy winner Erling Haaland to the prize.
The Norwegian, who plies his trade in Manchester City, was the closest to winning the trophy. However, the 2022 FIFA World Cup in December happened and the Argentine, who has now extended his Ballon d’Or win record, went on to claim the World Cup.
Haaland, playing in only his first season at Manchester City in England, racked up amazing numbers and won the treble of the UEFA Champions League, the Premier League and the FA Cup. The numbers brought about individual accolades as well which automatically made him the favourite for the Ballon d’Or.
Messi, the record holder of the award, was moving in silence at Paris Saint-Germain, where he was in his second year. The 36-year-old played a backup role to Kylian Mbappe but took all gloves off and went for everyone’s jugular at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
After returning from the tournament with the trophy and the most man of the match awards ever won by a single player at the Mundial, he resumed his muted role at PSG. He would end the season with 16 goals and 16 assists to help the French giants claim a second straight Ligue 1 title since he joined them.
Messi’s triumph over the best at the FIFA World Cup had practically sealed the 2023 Ballon d’Or award for him at the expense of Kylian Mbappe and Haaland, but finishing with those numbers in France made it clearer who will win the big prize.
And so, 30 October 2023 has come and gone. Messi is now an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner while Haaland is the latest recipient of the Gerd Muller prize for the world’s best striker and finisher of the year.
Speaking on stage at his reception of the award, Messi said, “Thank you very much, to share this with my national team-mates for what we were able to achieve with the national team.”
“The entire group, the coaching staff, everyone involved. I’m delighted to be here once more to be able to enjoy this moment one more time.”
“To be able to win the World Cup and really achieve my dream, to share this with all those who were involved.”
Then he spoke to Haaland and Mbappe, who finished in second and third places on the night. “This Ballon d’Or is a gift for all of Argentina. But, I don’t want to forget Haaland or Mbappe, who had a great year, spectacular, and in the coming years they will win this award.”
“Erling deserved it very much too, he has won the Premier League, and Champions League while being the top scorer of everything. This award could have been yours today too. I’m sure in the next years you will win it.”
Messi will now return to life in Miami where he is enjoying his off season to resume active football in February 2024.
