FRANCE- At the age of 36, Lionel Messi surpassed Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe to win the 2023 Golden Ball, thanks to the first World Cup championship of his career.
Inter Miami president David Beckham announced Messi's name at the prestigious individual award ceremony in the football world, organized by France Football magazine at the Chatelet theater, Paris on the evening of October 30. The Argentine superstar did not show much emotion when he heard his name, and neither did Haaland, while Mbappe smiled slightly for a moment.
Haaland received the Silver Ball, while Mbappe received the Bronze Ball. "These three balls are special, but the most important thing is the team titles," Messi said when receiving the Golden Ball.
Asked if the eighth Ballon d'Or was more special than the previous seven awards, Messi said: "All eight are important for different reasons."
Messi speaks after winning his eighth Ballon d'Or, at the Chatelet theater in Paris, France on the evening of October 30, 2023. Photo: AFP
Messi has won a record eight Ballons d'Or, in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021 and 2023. He is far ahead of the player who comes next with five titles, Cristiano Ronaldo. Because the Ballon d'Or was only awarded to European players until 1994, South American legends like Pele and Diego Maradona have never won the award. Therefore, France Football has awarded seven Ballons d'Or to Pele and two to Maradona.
After thanking his family and those who voted for him, Messi also paid tribute to his late teacher Maradona, whose 63rd birthday today would have been. "This award is a wonderful gift for all Argentines," he said. "I want to mention the last person, Maradona. Happy birthday, and there is no better place to wish you than here, because there are so many players here, and this ball. So this award is for you, and for all Argentines."
Maradona led the Argentina national team from 2008-2010, handing the captain's armband to Messi for the first time. He achieved a 75% win rate with Argentina, the highest in the team's history, among coaches who worked for 10 matches or more. However, Maradona and his team had to stop in the quarter-finals of the 2010 World Cup.
After four World Cups, with a runner-up finish in 2014, Messi won his first title in Qatar in 2022. He scored seven goals, named player of the tournament, as Argentina beat France in the penalty shootout on December 18, 2022. Messi scored in every round of the tournament.
Mbappe was the World Cup's top scorer with eight goals, including a hat-trick in the final, making him the first-ever Ballon d'Or winner. Haaland helped Man City win the treble, finishing as the Premier League and Champions League's top scorer, similar to last year's winner Karim Benzema. However, the World Cup is the biggest tournament on the planet, taking place every four years, so it often has a big influence on Ballon d'Or votes. Messi said he believes Mbappe and Haaland will win the Ballon d'Or in the coming years.
Messi did not show much emotion when receiving the 2023 Ballon d'Or. Photo: Reuters
While Messi was accepting his award and giving his speech, the camera briefly panned to his sons, and they looked bored. The eldest Thiago rested his chin on his hand, the middle son Mateo yawned, and the youngest Ciro even lay down on the couch.
Moments later, the family was invited on stage to celebrate with Messi. The boys high-fived former Ivory Coast striker and presenter Didier Drogba, then stood next to their father. The ceremony ended with Messi and his family, and after Beckham promised to throw a big party in Miami.
Messi is the first player to win the Ballon d'Or while playing for a club outside Europe. He left PSG for Miami in July 2023, helping the American club win their first-ever League Cup title. Messi has finished the season with Miami, and may not play a club game for more than three months.
Top 10 Golden Ball 2023 : 1- Lionel Messi, 2- Erling Haaland, 3- Kylian Mbappe, 4- Kevin de Bruyne, 5- Rodri, 6- Vinicius Junior, 7- Julian Alvarez, 8- Victor Osimhen, 9- Bernardo Silva, 10- Luka Modric.
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