Ballon d’Or 2023: Messi beats Haaland to win for eighth time

Lionel Messi of Inter Miami CF has won the Ballon d’Or for a record eighth time, beating out Manchester City forward Erling Haaland after leading Argentina to the World Cup last year.

Messi, 36, is the first MLS-based player to win the award, despite his success is partly due to his accomplishments with his country in Qatar. Former Manchester United star and Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham presented the award to Messi in Paris.

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“I couldn’t have imagined having the career I’ve had. “I’m proud of everything I’ve accomplished,” Messi remarked after receiving his trophy. “What a blessing it has been to play for the best team in the world, the best team in history.” It is good to take home these individual awards.

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“Winning the Copa America and then the World Cup is incredible. “They [Ballon d’Or awards] are all unique for different reasons.”

Cristiano Ronaldo has five titles, while Michel Platini, Johan Cruyff, and Marco van Basten each have three.

Messi scored 21 goals in 41 games for Paris Saint-Germain last season before joining Inter Miami early this year.

He has scored 11 goals in 14 games for Miami since relocating to the United States, helping the team win its first piece of silverware, the Leagues Cup.

He did, however, miss several games due to injury near the close of the regular MLS season as Gerardo “Tata” Martino’s team fell short in their late push for a playoff position.

‘Messi & Ronaldo are both just ridiculous talents’ – Rio Ferdinand

Ballon d’Or top 10

1. Lionel Messi (Argentina and PSG/Inter Miami)

2. Erling Haaland (Norway and Manchester City)

3. Kylian Mbappe (France and PSG)

4. Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium and Manchester City)

5. Rodri (Spain and Manchester City)

6. Vinicius Jr (Brazil and Real Madrid)

7. Julian Alvarez (Argentina and Manchester City)

8. Victor Osimhen (Nigeria and Napoli)

9. Bernardo Silva (Portugal and Manchester City)

10. Luka Modric (Croatia and Real Madrid)