There was a strong buzz in the international media. Finally, that rumor turned into reality. Lionel Messi has added another colorful feather to his crown of success. Argentina’s World Cup-winning forward, who won FIFA World Player of the Year last February, won a record eighth Ballon d’Or in an illustrious career.
The name of the 2023 Ballon d’Or winner was announced in a grand ceremony at the Theater du Châtelet in Paris, the capital of France, on Monday evening Bangladesh time. Norway and Manchester City striker Arling Haaland and PSG and France forward Kylian Mbappe could not compete with the 36-year-old Messi, who played at Inter Miami.
Messi was accompanied by his three sons and his wife Antonella Roccuzzo at the ceremony. After that, England’s legendary footballer David Beckham announced that Messi won the eighth Ballon d’Or.
Messi scored 42 goals and 26 assists in all competitions at the time considered for this year’s Ballon d’Or. He won two titles including League One for his former club PSG. But he was being kept ahead of the race for the Ballon d’Or by winning the World Cup. Messi lifted the most adorable title in Argentina’s jersey in Qatar last year. Besides, he led from the front with an eye-catching performance throughout the season and won the Golden Ball as the best player award.
Messi became the first footballer to win the Ballon d’Or while playing for three different clubs. He is the first footballer to win this award for a club outside of Europe, let alone for the club Miami of the Major Soccer (MLS) League of the United States. Before that, La Pulga won the Ballon d’Or seven times (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019 and 2021) for Spanish club Barcelona and French club PSG.
But last year, Messi was not in the short list of 30 people who were nominated to win the Ballon d’Or. Because after saying goodbye to Barca and going to PSG in 2021, he was absolutely plain in the first season there. After handling that shock, he returned and won.
Portugal and Saudi Arabia club Al Nasr forward Cristiano Ronaldo did not find a place in the short list this year. He is second only to Messi in the number of Ballon d’Or wins. He won the second highest award.
The Ballon d’Or is the world’s most prestigious individual award for footballers. The award is presented annually by football magazine France Football. It started its journey in 1956. This is the 67th Ballon d’Or ceremony. Over time, it has become football’s highest award at an individual level.
The period from August 1, 2022 to July 31, 2023 has been considered for this year’s Ballon d’Or.
In addition to the awards in the boys’ category, the Ballon d’Or Feminine Award in the girls’ category, the Copa Trophy for the best young player (under-21 years), the Yashin Trophy for the best goalkeeper, the Socrates Award for a footballer’s contribution to humanitarian work, the Gard Müller Trophy for the best goal scorer and two The club of the year award was given in the division.
A panel made up of staff from France football and sports media Lequip first released a shortlist of 30 top footballers. Then 100 journalists selected the top five players of their choice from that list. These journalists are selected from the top 100 countries in the men’s FIFA rankings.
The footballer who tops the list of five selected players gets six points. But five points are not given to anyone. The second, third, fourth and fifth placed players get four, three, two and one points respectively. The prestigious Ballon d’Or is awarded to the person who finishes first in total points after the journalists’ vote.
