2023 Ballon d'Or: Lionel Messi and Aitana Bonmatí Claim Top Honors
The 2023 Ballon d'Or, the prestigious annual award presented by France Football magazine, celebrated the world's most exceptional football talent during a glittering ceremony on October 30, 2023, at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. Hosted by Sandy Heribert and Didier Drogba, the 67th edition of the awards recognized achievements from the 2022–2023 season, spanning from August 1, 2022, to July 31, 2023.
Key Facts
- Lionel Messi won a record-extending eighth Ballon d'Or.
- Aitana Bonmatí secured her first Ballon d'Or Féminin.
- The awards were based on the football season rather than the calendar year.
- Manchester City was named Men's Club of the Year for the second consecutive year.
- FC Barcelona received the first-ever Women's Club of the Year award.
Lionel Messi Makes History
Lionel Messi claimed the top prize for the eighth time in his career, a feat driven largely by his leadership of Argentina during their victorious 2022 FIFA World Cup campaign. This win marked several historic milestones: Messi became the first player to win the award while playing outside of Europe, as he was representing Inter Miami of Major League Soccer in the USA. Additionally, he is now the only player to have won the trophy while representing three different clubs: Barcelona, PSG, and Inter Miami.
Aitana Bonmatí and the Women's Game
In the women's category, Aitana Bonmatí was crowned the winner of the Ballon d'Or Féminin. Her dominant season included winning the 2022–23 Women's Champions League with FC Barcelona and lifting the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup with Spain.
Specialized Awards and Trophies
Beyond the main prizes, France Football presented several specialized awards to recognize excellence in specific roles and contributions to the sport:
- Kopa Trophy (Best young player): Awarded to Jude Bellingham of Borussia Dortmund.
- Yashin Trophy (Best goalkeeper): Awarded to Emiliano Martínez of Aston Villa.
- Gerd Müller Trophy (Top goalscorer): Awarded to Erling Haaland, who scored 56 goals for Manchester City.
- Sócrates Award (Humanitarian work): Awarded to Vinícius Júnior of Real Madrid.
2023 Award Summary
| Award | Winner | Club/Nationality |
|---|---|---|
| Ballon d'Or | Lionel Messi | Inter Miami / Argentina |
| Ballon d'Or Féminin | Aitana Bonmatí | Barcelona / Spain |
| Kopa Trophy | Jude Bellingham | Borussia Dortmund / England |
| Yashin Trophy | Emiliano Martínez | Aston Villa / Argentina |
| Gerd Müller Trophy | Erling Haaland | Manchester City / Norway |
| Sócrates Award | Vinícius Júnior | Real Madrid / Brazil |
| Men's Club of the Year | Manchester City | England |
| Women's Club of the Year | FC Barcelona | Spain |
Frequently Asked Questions
How was the 2023 Ballon d'Or winner determined?
For the second time in the award's history, the winner was determined based on the results of the football season (August 1, 2022, to July 31, 2023) rather than the standard calendar year.
Why was Lionel Messi's 2023 win particularly unique?
Messi became the first player to win the award while playing for a club outside of Europe (Inter Miami) and the only player to win the award with three different clubs.
Who won the Gerd Müller Trophy and why?
Erling Haaland won the Gerd Müller Trophy for being the most prolific goalscorer of the season, netting 56 goals for Manchester City.
Which clubs were recognized as the best of the year?
Manchester City was named the Men's Club of the Year for the second year in a row, and FC Barcelona was named the inaugural Women's Club of the Year.
What is the Kopa Trophy?
The Kopa Trophy is awarded to the best performing under-21 player in the world; in 2023, it was won by Jude Bellingham.