On a glamorous night in Paris on Monday, Lionel Messi won his much anticipated Ballon d’Or. The Argentine has now won the trophy for a record breaking eight times. Along with Kevin De Bruyne of City, he has defeated Haaland and Mbappe, rounding out the top four. Erling Haaland’s incredible record of 56 goals in the previous season earned him the title of Gerd Muller trophy for 2023. Aitana Bonmati was announced as Women’s Ballon d’Or 2023 winner.
Ballon d’Or 2023 Highlights:
The prize for Club of the Year went to Manchester City. A total of seven City players who won the triple were considered for the Ballon d’Or, having been crucial to the team’s victories in the FA Cup, Premier League, and Champions League. Pep Guardiola’s team has won the prize for the past two seasons.
The Gerd Muller trophy for the top striker from the previous season went to Erling Haaland on Monday. In the 2022–2023 season, the Norway international scored 56 goals for both Club and Country. Since coming to Pep Guardiola’s team in the summer of 2022, the striker has been nothing short of amazing.
The Yachine Award went to Aston Villa and Argentinean Emi Martinez on Monday. Martinez was a key player in Argentina’s World Cup victory. One of the times the goalie has saved Argentina in the World Cup final is when he stopped a Kolo Muani in stoppage time. The 2022 World Cup Golden Glove winner has expanded his already impressive resume.
End of GOAT debate? Unrivaled Lionel Messi claims record 8th Ballon d’Or
Following a thrilling treble, Barcelona Femeni wins the Women’s Club of the Year award. Following a season in which the team won both their second Champions League and ninth league title, six players of their exceptional team received Ballon d’Or nominations.
The winner of the 2023 Women’s Ballon d’Or is Aitana Bonmati. Many people consider the Barcelona phenomenon to be the world’s finest midfield player, and he played like such for the Catalan giants last season. At the age of 25, Bonmati wins the trophy for the first time after playing a key role in the team’s three-trophy victory.
Real Madrid starlet Jude Bellingham, won this year’s Kopa Trophy. Bellingham completed his high-profile transfer to 14-time Champions League champions Real Madrid after having a successful season with both England and Borussia Dortmund. Not without reason, the Los Blancos spent more than 100 million euros on the English midfielder in the summer. For Los Blancos in La Liga thus far, the midfield player has netted 13 goals and provided three assists.
