Lionel Messi won the 2023 Ballon d’Or on October 30, 2023, in Paris. This was his eighth win, more than any other player in history.
The 2023 Ballon d’Or Winner and Top Contenders
The final voting results showed a competitive race among football’s elite:
- Lionel Messi (Argentina/Inter Miami) – 462 points
- Erling Haaland (Norway/Manchester City) – 357 points
- Kylian Mbappé (France/PSG) – 270 points
The top three finishers represented different aspects of footballing excellence – Messi’s World Cup triumph and technical brilliance, Haaland’s record-breaking goal scoring, and Mbappé’s continued ascent as one of the game’s premier talents.
Historical Context of Messi’s 2023 Victory
Messi’s eighth Ballon d’Or marked several significant milestones:
- First player to win the award while playing for an MLS club (Inter Miami)
- Extended his record for most Ballon d’Or wins (8), ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo (5)
- First World Cup winner to claim the award since 2018
- Recognition primarily for his performances with PSG and Argentina during the 2022/23 season
The award recognized Messi’s extraordinary World Cup performance, where he led Argentina to victory in Qatar with seven goals and three assists, including a brace in the final against France.
Complete 2023 Ballon d’Or Rankings
The final order of the top 30 nominees reflected the global distribution of football talent:
| Rank | Player | Club | Nationality | Points |
| 1 | Lionel Messi | Inter Miami | Argentina | 462 |
| 2 | Erling Haaland | Man City | Norway | 357 |
| 3 | Kylian Mbappé | PSG | France | 270 |
| 4 | Kevin de Bruyne | Man City | Belgium | 100 |
| 5 | Rodri | Man City | Spain | 57 |
| 6 | Vinicius Jr | Real Madrid | Brazil | 49 |
| 7 | Julian Alvarez | Man City | Argentina | 28 |
| 8 | Victor Osimhen | Napoli | Nigeria | 24 |
| 9 | Bernardo Silva | Man City | Portugal | 20 |
| 10 | Luka Modric | Real Madrid | Croatia | 19 |
Manchester City dominated the top rankings with five players in the top 10, reflecting their exceptional season that culminated in winning the treble (Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League).
Voting Process and Criteria
The 2023 Ballon d’Or voting process followed these key guidelines:
- Votes cast by 92 journalists from the top 100 nations in FIFA’s men’s rankings
- Second year under the new voting period (aligned with the European football season rather than calendar year)
- Considered performances during the 2022/23 season
- The 2022 Qatar World Cup played a significant role in voting considerations
Notable Absences and Surprises
The 2023 nominations featured several noteworthy developments:
- Cristiano Ronaldo missed the nominees list for the first time since 2003, ending a 19-year streak
- Yassine Bounou (13th place) achieved the highest ranking for a goalkeeper
- Martin Ødegaard became the first Norwegian player nominated since 2009
- Six Manchester City players featured in the top 30, highlighting their dominant season
FAQs
Why did Messi win over Haaland in 2023?
Haaland had a great season with Manchester City, but Messi’s World Cup win with Argentina in 2022 was more important to voters. The World Cup is the biggest prize in football.
Will this be Messi’s last Ballon d’Or?
Many experts think so. Messi now plays for Inter Miami in MLS, which gets less notice in European football awards.
How did the voting period change affect the 2023 award?
The award now covers the August to July football season instead of the calendar year. This meant the 2022 World Cup affected the 2023 award, helping players who did well there.
Who was left out of the 2023 nominations?
Cristiano Ronaldo was the biggest name missing, ending his run of nominations since 2004. Neymar Jr. and Sadio Mané were also left out.
How did Manchester City’s three trophies affect the rankings?
Five City players made the top 10 (Haaland, De Bruyne, Rodri, Alvarez, and Bernardo Silva). But no single City player won, maybe because votes were split among teammates.
