Ballon d’Or 2023: Lionel Messi wins eighth trophy - Aitana Bonmati takes women’s crown
World Cup winners Lionel Messi and Aitana Bonmati were honoured with the prestigious annual football award at the Théâtre du Chatelet in Paris. Discover all award winners.
Football
Lionel Messi and Aitana Bonmati have been named the 2023 Ballon d’Or winners on Monday (30 October) at a star-studded ceremony in Paris.
Messi takes home the award as the best football player of the season for a record-extending eighth time, after leading Argentina to their first World Cup title since 1986.
La Albiceleste beat France on penalties in the final at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar with Messi claiming the Golden Ball as well.
Before moving to Miami this summer, the 36-year-old forward also won the French title with Paris Saint-Germain. In August, the superstar star took his new team to their first ever title as Inter Miami clinched the Leagues Cup.
"I couldn’t imagine having the career that I’ve had," Messi said on stage.
"Everything that I’ve achieved. The fortune I’ve had playing for the best team in the world, the best team in history. It’s nice to win these individual trophies. To win the Copa America and then the World Cup, to get it done is amazing."
Manchester City's goal machine Erling Haaland finished second following a season in which he scored 52 goals across all competitions. Paris Saint-Germain ace Kylian Mbappé rounded out the podium.
Last year's winner Karim Benzema finished 16th in the vote.
Spain’s Bonmati succeeds her Barcelona and international teammate Alexia Putellas, winner of the Ballon d'Or Feminin in 2021 and 2022.
25-year-old Bonmati has won the women's award for the first time after leading Spain to their maiden World Cup title. She took the Golden Ball award at the tournament in Australia and New Zealand.
The FC Barcelona midfielder also helped her club to win La Liga and a second Champions League title which earned her the UEFA Player of the Season award in August.
"I'm very proud to win this Ballon d'Or tonight," Bonmati said after receiving the award.
"It's an individual prize but football is a team sport, so I'd like to extend this prize to my teammates and staff at Barcelona, and my international teammates as well. I wouldn't be here without them."
Sam Kerr of Australia was runner-up, while 19-year-old Salma Paralluelo from Spain and FC Barcelona took third place.
The Ballon d’Or was created by French news magazine France Football in 1956.