(CNN) — Lionel Messi set a record by winning his eighth Ballon d’Or this Monday, while Spain and FC Barcelona star Aitana Bonmatí won the award in the women’s category. The Ballon d’Or honors the best players in men’s and women’s football.
Messi won the Ballon d’Or for the first time in 2009. He captained Argentina to win the World Cup in Qatar late last year. This is the most important championship title in Messi’s career. He won the award in Paris this year. Current Inter Miami star.
The former FC Barcelona man finished ahead of Manchester City striker Erling Haaland and Messi’s former team-mate at Paris Saint-Germain, Kylian Mbappe.
“I never imagined having the career I have now. Thank God I have been lucky enough to achieve all my goals and achieve everything in football, which is very difficult,” Messi said after moving from co-ownership of Inter Miami David Beckham, the former England player, said after receiving the Ballon d’Or.
“As Aitana said before, I’m lucky enough to be in the best team in the world, the best team in history, and that makes it easier to win more titles and therefore individual awards,” May said. West said of his trophy-laden bag. Before speaking of his struggles with Argentina, the icon has endured many ups and downs on the Barca scene, including briefly considering retiring from the national team after a disastrous penalty shootout defeat in the 2016 Copa America final.
“I’ve been through a lot of difficult moments, especially with Argentina… Things didn’t go well for me. I repeat, I never gave up, I was always fighting to win the Copa America (2021), to win the World Cup, I’m very proud of myself for not falling into trying to be easy and being able to achieve this”.
Messi also mentioned another great Argentine icon, Diego Maradona, who died in 2020 and is revered as a football icon and hero in Argentina.
“I want to mention Diego (Maradona) one last time. Today is his birthday,” Messi said, “so I think there is no better place than to be around players, coaches, people who love football as much as he does Happy birthday to him, so wherever you are, happy birthday, Diego. This (award) is also yours and I share it with you and all Argentines.”
Two months ago, Bomati won the Women’s World Cup in Spain. She scored 3 goals and contributed 2 assists, and was named the best player of Australia and New Zealand in 2023. She also helped FC Barcelona achieve a double last season, winning their eighth F-League title and second Women’s Champions League title after beating Wolfsburg in June.
“I am very proud to receive the Ballon d’Or tonight. Although this is an individual award, football is a collective, team sport, which is why I want to share this with my teammates, staff, Barcelona and the national team staff Award, because obviously without the titles won this year, my Bonmarty said after receiving the award from the 24-time Grand Slam champion tennis player Novak Djokovic.
Aitana Bonmatí wins the 2023 Ballon d’Or. (Photo source: FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)
“I’m a bit nervous, I haven’t slept for days. It’s a dream for me to attend the biggest football event in the world, even though, as I said, I’m a cautious person, but to be here is special. I I am lucky to play for such a great club as FC Barcelona and for the national team. In both places I am surrounded by the best colleagues who make me better every day,” he added.
The midfielder is the second Spanish player to win the Women’s Ballon d’Or, after her Barcelona teammate Alexia Putras won the award back-to-back in 2021 and 2022. The award was first awarded in 2018.
Behind Bonmati in the voting were Chelsea and Australia star forward Sam Kerr and Bonmati’s Spanish national team and FC Barcelona teammate Salma Paralullo.
french football A list of nominations is drawn up, and then a panel of journalists from around the world votes to determine the winner.
Bellingham and Haaland win in other categories
Jude Bellingham has made a huge impact since joining Real Madrid from Borussia Dortmund in the summer.AFP/Getty Images
The first award of the night went to Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham, who won the Copa Trophy (awarded to the world’s best player under the age of 21) last season while at German club Borussia Dortmund.
Bellingham has made a huge impact since joining Real Madrid in the summer, scoring 13 goals in 13 games (including a brace at the weekend to lead Real Madrid to a Clasico win over Barcelona) and cementing their legacy The Spanish giant is in control of the top flight. La Liga standings.
The Gerd Muller Trophy for Forward of the Year was awarded to Manchester City forward Erling Haaland. The prolific Norwegian scored 52 goals in his first season in Manchester, breaking a number of records and leading the team to the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League treble.
Manchester City won the Men’s Club of the Year award for the second consecutive season after winning the Treble and impressing the world with their style of play. Guardiola’s side defeated Real Madrid in the semi-finals and Inter Milan in a tense final in Istanbul to win the club’s first Champions League trophy.
FC Barcelona Women won the Women’s Club of the Year award for a performance that included three titles (F-League, Spanish Super Cup and Women’s Champions League) and boast a squad that includes six Women’s Ballon d’Or nominees, including Winner, Bonmati.
Complete list of 2023 winners
Men’s Ballon d’Or
Lionel Messi, Inter Miami and Argentina
Women’s Ballon d’Or
Aitana Bonmatí, Barcelona and Spain
Gerd Muller Trophy (Best Forward)
Erling Haaland, Manchester City and Norway
Yashin Trophy (Best Goalkeeper)
Emiliano Martinez, Aston Villa and Argentina
Copa Trophy (Best Player Under 21)
Jude Bellingham, Borussia Dortmund/Real Madrid and England
Socrates Award (for humanitarian work)
Vinicius Junior, Real Madrid and Brazil
Men’s Club of the Year
manchester city
Women’s Club of the Year
Barcelona Women’s Football Team