When the Ballon d’Or comes to mind, always two names pop up in our minds: one is Argentine star Lonel Messi, and the other is Cristiano Ronaldo from Portugal. These two superstars have dominated the Ballon d’Or for the past two decades. These two people always fight with each other. Not just between them, but also between their friends. Whenever these two names come up, there is a battle over who is the best player in football. These two people took the record for the most Ballon d’Or in them when Cristiano Ronaldo held five, and as of 2023, Messi claimed eight of them.
As of today, Lionel Messi holds the record for most Ballon d’Or wins with eight. He won the 2023 award. This 36-year-old football king was named the winner of this Ballon d’Or on Monday, October 30, at a star-studded ceremony in Paris. After winning the World Cup for Argentina in 2022, many people thinking that he will win the Ballon d’Or in 2023.
In the Qatar World Cup 2022, Lionel Messi led the Argentina team to the final, and after his brilliant leadership, Argentina won the FIFA World Cup 2022. Messi scored a total of seven goals in the 2022 World Cup, where two of his goals were scored in the final. In the final, they face France, who also played extraordinarily well, and at the end of extra time, the score was tied at 3-3. Kylian Mbappe scored three in the final, but at the penalty shootout, France lost to Argentina, despite a great effort by Mbappe.
There are 26 other players besides Messi who are up for the Ballon d’Or this year. They are Erling Haaland of Manchester City, Kylian Mbappe of PSG, and others. Erling Haaland in the last two season 2022-23 scored 52 goals in total in 53 matches for Manchester City. He is the ultimate goal machine for this club. He placed second and sent Kylian Mbappe to the third position. Mbappe scored 54 goals for both club and country, but he got behind Haaland. When playing with PSG, Messi scored 21 goals and assisted 20 in 41 matches in the 2022–23 season.
That night, Messi said on stage, “Halland and Mbappe will win the Ballon d’Or one day.” He added that “this may be his last Ballor d’Or.” He said that Erling really deserved this award, as he won the Premier League and the Champions League with him as the top scorer. But Haaland and Mbappe are both young and have plenty of time for them to win the Ballon d’Or one day. This year’s award could be for them too, but in the coming years, this will be for them too. He thanked everyone, especially his team members, coach, family, and friends. He shared his achievement with all of them. He finished his speech by saying, “Happy Birthday to Diego Maradona”.
Lionel Messi won the Ballon d’Or in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, and 2023. He really is the goal of the football world after winning his 8th Ballon d’Or and also the World Cup 2022. Lionel Messi, the king of football, was awarded his second Golden Ball for his extraordinary performances throughout the World Cup. He won all the important awards in his life. The battle between who is the greatest player of all time is now one-sided by the achievement of Lionel Messi.
In the female section, Aitana Bonmati won the 2023 Ballon d’Or and was named the best female footballer in the world. She is Barcelona’s midfielder and played the best of her year with her club and home team, Spain. She also won the female world cup for her team, Spain. She scored 19 goals in 37 matches and also won the Golden Ball. Because of her, Barcelona won their major matches, and now in the Women’s Champions League, they are 2-0 behind in the final.
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