The 2023 Ballon d’Or ceremony took place in Paris on Monday, October 30, with Lionel Messi and Aitana Bonmati winning the men’s and women’s awards respectively.
Messi beats Haaland to win eighth Ballon d’Or
Lionel Messi made history by winning the Ballon d’Or for a record-extending eighth time, beating Erling Haaland and Robert Lewandowski to the prestigious prize. The Inter Miami forward, who joined the MLS club from Barcelona in the summer, had a stellar year, leading Argentina to their first Copa America title since 1993 and scoring 41 goals in 45 games for club and country. Messi received 446 points from the votes of journalists around the world, while Haaland got 382 and Lewandowski 365.
Messi thanked his family, teammates and fans for their support and dedicated the award to his late friend and compatriot Diego Maradona, who passed away in November 2020. He also praised Haaland and Lewandowski for their incredible performances and said he was honored to share the stage with them.
Bonmati wins first Ballon d’Or Feminin
Aitana Bonmati claimed her first Ballon d’Or Feminin, becoming the third Spanish player to win the women’s award after Alexia Putellas and Jennifer Hermoso. The Barcelona and Spain midfielder had a remarkable year, helping her club win the treble of La Liga, Copa de la Reina and Champions League, as well as reaching the final of the Women’s Euro 2023. Bonmati scored 28 goals and provided 18 assists in 52 games for club and country. She received 312 points from the votes of journalists around the world, while Sam Kerr got 287 and Vivianne Miedema 261.
Bonmati expressed her gratitude to her family, teammates and coaches for their contribution to her success and said she was proud to represent Spanish football on the global stage. She also congratulated Kerr and Miedema for their amazing seasons and said they were an inspiration for young girls who want to play football.
Other awards
The other awards presented at the ceremony were:
- Yashin Trophy (best men’s goalkeeper): Gianluigi Donnarumma (Italy/AC Milan/Paris Saint-Germain)
- Kopa Trophy (best men’s player under 21): Jude Bellingham (England/Borussia Dortmund)
- Lev Yashin Award (best women’s goalkeeper): Christiane Endler (Chile/Paris Saint-Germain)
- Trophée Raymond Kopa (best women’s player under 21): Lena Oberdorf (Germany/Wolfsburg)