Lionel Messi crowned Ballon d'Or champion of 2023

In the 2023 Ballon d'Or, Lionel Messi was declared the winner, achieving this notable honor for an unprecedented eighth time.

The Inter Miami forward was a top contender for the accolade granted by France Football, outplaying competitors such as Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne, and Kylian Mbappe to once more earn the highest recognition in world football.

During the 2022/23 season, the defining moment of Messi's career was guiding Argentina to triumph in the World Cup in Qatar at the end of 2022, breaking Argentina's 36-year wait for their third universal achievement.

The ex-Barcelona superstar scored in every round from the group phase to the finale, where Argentina edged France to seize the silverware on penalties at Lusail Iconic Stadium, despite an amazing hat-trick from his then PSG teammate, Mbappe.

For Paris Saint-Germain, the 26-year-old aided the cause with 16 Ligue 1 goals, leading them to secure the French title. When his two-year contract with PSG expired in June, he transitioned to Major League Soccer with Inter Miami, guiding them to their first significant trophy with the Leagues Cup.

Messi won the award previously in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, and 2021. Currently, he stands three gold balls ahead of his long-time competitor Cristiano Ronaldo, who didn't feature on this year's nominations.