TheCable

Lionel Messi has been named the 2023 Ballon d’Or winner. 

The Argentina captain beat Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland to claim a record eight Ballon d’Or at the Théâtre du Chatelet in Paris, France, on Monday.

Messi led Argentina to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. He was adjudged the best player in the competition and won the Golden Ball.

After winning the 2022-23 Ligue One title with Paris Saint Germain (PSG), Messi joined Inter Miami in the US Major League Soccer (MLS).

Messi had previously won the Ballon d’Or trophies in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019 and 2021.

Victor Osimhen finished eighth on the ranking of the best male footballers in the world.

In the women’s category, Aitana Bonmati, Barcelona’s midfielder, won the Ballon d’Or Femeni.

She was named ‘UEFA Player of the Year’ in August and also won a league and UEFA Women’s Champions League double with Barcelona. She was also named the best player of the tournament as Spain lifted the 2023 Women’s World Cup.

Jude Bellingham claimed the Kopa Trophy, the award for best-performing player under the age of 21.

The 20-year-old beat off competition from Eduard Camavinga, Gavi and Jamal Musiala to claim the award.

Emiliano Martinez won the best goalkeeper award while also finishing 15th in this year’s Ballon d’Or.

• Men’s Ballon d’Or: Lionel Messi
• Women’s Ballon d’Or: Aitana Bonmati
• Kopa Trophy: Jude Bellingham
• Yashin Trophy: Emiliano Martinez
• Best Striker of the Year: Erling Haaland
• Best Club: Manchester City
• Women’s Club of the Year: Barcelona Femeni
• Socrates Trophy: Vinicius Junior