Argentina captain Lionel Messi has emerged as the winner of the 2023 Ballon d’Or.
The Inter Miami star led Argentina to World Cup victory in Qatar 2022. It is the eighth time the 36-year-old has won the highly coveted accolade.
Manchester City and Norway hitman Erling Haaland was second on the ranking, while Paris Saint-Germain and France forward Kylian Mbappe was third.
Manchester City duo, Kevin De Bruyne and Rodri completed the top five.
In the female category, Spain’s Aitana Bonmati won the Ballon d’Or
LIONEL MESSI IS THE 2023 MEN’S BALLON D’OR!
Eight Ballon d’Or for Argentina hero! 🖐🤟#ballondor pic.twitter.com/1slOJ6EoKj
— Ballon d’Or #ballondor (@ballondor) October 30, 2023
💬 The speech of the 2023 Ballon d’Or winner, Lionel Messi #ballondor pic.twitter.com/HRaNdRwclG
— Ballon d’Or #ballondor (@ballondor) October 30, 2023
Napoli striker Victor Osimhen finished eighth on the list, becoming the first Nigerian to finish in the top 10 of the Ballon d’Or ranking.
He guided his club to their first Scudetto in 33 years last season.
Also, Nigerian singer Divine Ikubor, aka Rema, became the first African artiste to perform at the award ceremony. The afrobeats star serenaded the audience to his hit Calm Down.
CALM DOWN!@heisrema takes on the stage of the Ballon d’Or! 🎵#ballondor pic.twitter.com/EPidcd8ZMQ
— Ballon d’Or #ballondor (@ballondor) October 30, 2023
