The winner of the 2023 Ballon d’Or has been announced who is Lionel Messi who won a record-extending eighth award. The Inter Miami and Argentina striker, who played for Paris Saint-Germain last season, captained Argentina to the World Cup in Qatar last December, ending a 36-year wait for the South American country. Messi, 36, has won the award three times more than anyone else.
Messi won his first Ballon d’Or 14 years ago, just five years into his senior professional career. He has won eight Ballon d’Or trophies.
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This are some words that he said during his winnings: In 2009: “Honestly, I knew that I was among the favourites because Barcelona had a fruitful year in 2009,” Messi told France Football. “But I didn’t expect to win with such a margin. The Ballon d’Or is very important to me. All the players who won it were great players, and some great players never won it.”
In 2010: “I would obviously like to share this with all of my team-mates because if it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t be up here accepting this award. There was so much talk beforehand of Andrés Iniesta or Xavi Hernández winning so I’m as surprised as anyone.”
In 2011: “I’m going to share this with Xavi,It’s the fourth time we’ve been here in Zurich; it’s a great pleasure to play alongside him. Xavi, you deserve the trophy just as much as me. Without you I wouldn’t have won and I want to thank you for being such a good friend.”
In his latest winning 2023: “I couldn’t imagine having the career that I’ve had. Everything that I’ve achieved. The fortune I’ve had playing for the best team in the world, the best team in history. It’s nice to win these individual trophies. To win the Copa America and then the World Cup, to get it done is amazing,” Messi said.
“Always I said the Ballon d’Or should be in two sections; one for Messi, then after another one,” said Guardiola. “We won the treble, he scored a million goals. The worst season for Messi is the best for the rest of the players.
“Both deserve it,” he added. “I want Haaland to have it because he helped us achieve what we achieved. I would love it. But Messi won the World C.
Messi and De Bruyen were among that city team who were nominated.
