Ballon d'Or 2023: Lionel Messi wins eighth award as Spain's Aitana Bonmati claims women's prize

Lionel Messi crowned 2023 Ballon d'Or winner to claim award for record-extending eighth time; Argentina captain led country to World Cup glory last year as he lifted trophy for first time; Spain midfielder.

The awards ceremony was held yesterday Monday October 30, 2023 in Paris, France.

Aitana Bonmati wins Women's Ballon d'Or after helping country to World Cup.

Argentina forward Lionel Messi has won the Ballon d'Or for a record-extending eighth time, while Spain midfielder Aitana Bonmati claimed the Women's Ballon d'Or. Messi, now at Inter Miami, led his country to World Cup glory last year as he lifted the trophy for the first time and won the Golden Ball award for the best player of the tournament in Qatar. 

The 36-year-old reclaimed the Ballon d'Or from France's Karim Benzema to add to his wins in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019 and 2021. The former Barcelona forward's victory increases his lead over five-time winner Cristiano Ronaldo. 

The 38-year-old Portugal international, who plays for Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr, was not on the shortlist for the first time since 2003. Messi was presented with the award by David Beckham, owner of Inter Miami and runner-up in the 1999 Ballon d'Or, and the Argentine admitted this will be his last Ballon d'Or win.

2023 Men's Ballon d'Dr - Top 30

1. Lionel Messi (Argentina, Inter Miami)
2. Erling Haaland (Norway, Manchester City)
3. Kylian Mbappe (France, PSG)
4. Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium, Manchester City)
5. Rodri (Spain, Manchester City)
6. Vinicius Junior (Brazil, Real Madrid)
7. Julian Alvarez (Argentina, Manchester City)
8. Victor Osimhen (Nigeria, Napoli)
9. Bernardo Silva (Portugal, Manchester City)
10. Luka Modric (Croatia, Real Madrid)
11. Mohamed Salah (Egypt, Liverpool)
12. Robert Lewandowski (Poland, Barcelona)
13. Yassine Bounou (Morocco, Al Hilal)
14. Ilkay Gundogan (Germany, Barcelona)
15. Emiliano Martinez (Argentina, Aston Villa)
16. Karim Benzema (France, Al Ittihad)
17. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Georgia, Napoli)
18. Jude Bellingham (England, Real Madrid)
19. Harry Kane (England, Bayern Munich)
20. Lautaro Martinez (Argentina, Inter Milan)
21. Antoine Griezmann (France, Atletico Madrid)
22. Min-Jae Kim (South Korea, Bayern Munich)
23. Andre Onana (Cameroon, Manchester United)
24. Bukayo Saka (England, Arsenal)
25. Josko Gvardiol (Croatia, Manchester City)
26. Jamal Musiala (Germany, Bayern Munich)
27. Nicolo Barella (Italy, Inter Milan)
=28. Martin Odegaard (Norway, Arsenal)
=28. Randal Kolo Muani (France, PSG)
30. Ruben Dias (Portugal, Manchester City)

Barcelona midfielder Bonmati won the Women's Ballon d'Or for the first time as she helped Spain to maiden World Cup glory in August and won a league and Champions League double at club level. Bonmati won the Golden Ball for the best player of the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, while she was recently named UEFA Women's Player of the Year. The 25-year-old became the second Spanish player to win the Women's Ballon d'Or after Barcelona compatriot Alexia Putellas was awarded the prize for the last two years. Bonmati beat Chelsea and Australia striker Sam Kerr to the award, while England and Manchester United goalkeeper Mary Earps finished fifth in the voting after winning the Golden Glove at the World Cup. Fellow Lionesses Rachel Daly (10th), Millie Bright (11th) and Georgia Stanway (23rd) were among the nominees for the fifth edition of the women's award, with Arsenal and Republic of Ireland's Katie McCabe finishing 22nd. Meanwhile, Bonmati's team Barcelona won the women's club of the year award after they won the Champions League and Spanish league title last season. Aston Villa's Martinez wins best goalkeeper award.

2023 Women's Ballon d'Or - Top 10

1. Aitana Bonmati (Spain, Barcelona)
2. Sam Kerr (Australia, Chelsea)
3. Salma Paralluelo (Spain, Barcelona)
4. Fridolina Rolfo (Sweden, Barcelona)
5. Mary Earps (England, Manchester United)
6. Olga Carmona (Spain, Real Madrid)
7. Alexandra Popp (Germany, Wolfsburg)
8. Patricia Guijarro (Spain, Barcelona)
9. Linda Caicedo (Colombia, Real Madrid)
10. Rachel Daly (England, Aston Villa)