If winning the 2022 FIFA World Cup was the defining moment of Lionel Messi’s astonishing career, then securing his eighth Ballon d’Or was the cherry on top. To nobody’s surprise, the Argentine captain was declared the 2023 best male football player by the French news magazine “France Football.” Messi received more votes than Norwegian striker Erling Haaland and French forward Kylian Mbappé adding another golden ball to his already luxurious trophy cabinet.
In the history of the Ballon d’Or, there is a “before Messi” period and an “after Messi” period. Before Messi, the most the award had been given to a single player was three times. This record was held by Dutch forwards Johan Cruyff and Marco Van Basten and French midfielder Michel Platini. After winning his first golden ball in 2009, Messi put an end to this record with ease as he would have a historic run winning the next three awards.
At just 25, Messi had already become the award’s most victorious recipient. For the next decade, Messi would share the Ballon d’Or stage with Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo, as the award would mainly go back and forth between the two soccer superstars. Ronaldo currently sits in second place for most golden balls with five of them. Messi added three more golden balls to his resume in 2015, 2019 and 2021. With a total of eight golden balls now, Messi not only has more than every player, but he has more than any country passing Portugal, Netherlands, France, and Germany who all have seven awards each.
Although Messi stole the headlines, there were many other awards given during the ceremony in France. Messi’s Argentina teammate Emiliano Martínez was awarded goalkeeper of the year for his heroics during the World Cup, as he helped his country win two penalty shootouts and made a crucial save in the dying minutes of the final.
English midfielder Jude Bellingham was awarded the Best Young Player award as he has been unstoppable as of late and shows clear signs of being in the running for a future Ballon d’Or. Haaland was given the award for top striker in Europe after having an amazing season winning the treble and breaking the Premier League record for most goals in a season with 36.
Spanish midfielder Aitana Bonmatí was awarded 2023 best female football player. Bonmatí won the Champions League with FC Barcelona Femeníl and helped Spain achieve their first-ever women’s World Cup title. Bonmatí became the third Spanish player to win the award after her club and country teammate Alexia Putellas won the past two.
When winning an award of this caliber, along with the admiration comes the controversy.
Messi was the clear favorite for the award this year, but many were up in arms about Haaland not taking the Ballon d’Or. Although Haaland did have a record-breaking season and did secure a treble with Manchester City, the World Cup is still the most prestigious title in soccer. Haaland was not able to keep his country qualified in the tournament, while Messi is one of the sole reasons Argentina won the 2022 tournament. Throughout seven matches, Messi showed up time and time again in the big moments for Argentina, providing three assists and scoring seven goals. Messi scored three goals and provided an assist during the semis and final of the World Cup, while Haaland was a ghost scoring no goals and providing no assists during the two-leg semifinal and final of the Champions League.
We also have to keep in mind that Haaland is currently playing in the prime of his career at the age of 23, while Messi is in the twilight of his career at the age of 36. What Messi is accomplishing at this age is incredible and probably will never be done by another footballer. Pep Guardiola, former coach of Messi and current coach of Haaland, probably said it best when speaking to the press on who should win the award this year.
“Always I said the Ballon d’Or should be in two sections; one for Messi, then after another one so Haaland should win. The worst season for Messi is the best for the rest of the players,” said Guardiola.
Messi took the stage to receive his eighth Golden Ball and gave his acceptance speech, it was a very bittersweet moment because it could be the last time he would ever step foot on that stage to receive this award. At his age and especially playing outside of Europe now, it will be very difficult for Messi ever to win another Golden Ball. Although he may never win another Ballon d’Or, Messi is very likely to win an even more prestigious award. The Super Ballon d’Or is an award also given by “France Football,” and has only been given once to forward Alfredo Di Stéfano back in 1989. The award is given to the best player of the previous three decades in football, and with 2030 right around the corner, it is very likely Messi will become the award’s second-ever recipient. With 44 titles under his belt, including four UEFA Champions Leagues, one Copa America, one FIFA World Cup, and now a record total of eight golden balls, Messi has truly completed the sport.
“Undisputed the greatest of all time,” said Mynor Guzman, secretary of FC Barcelona supporter’s club. “There is no discussion after winning a World Cup and an eighth Ballon d’Or. We are talking about a unicorn here.”