Ballon d'Or 2023: Lionel Messi (ARG), 2022 world champion, wins the trophy for the 8^th time

Lionel Messi (ARG, Inter Miami CF) was awarded the Ballon d'Or 2023 during the ceremony held at the Théâtre du Châtelet (Paris, FRA) marking the 67^th edition of the trophy created by French magazine France Football, on 30/10/2023.

Winner of the 2022 World Cup as captain of Argentina, the 2022-23 French league title and the 2022 Trophée des Champions with Paris Saint-Germain (Ligue 1 Uber Eats), the former FC Barcelona (LALIGA EA Sports) player claimed the best player award for the eighth time, bettering his own record (Cristiano Ronaldo, 2^nd, won five Ballons d'Or).

"I wanted to thank Diego (Maradona, born 63 years earlier to the day, on 30/10/1960, and died on 25/11/2020). There's no better time to wish him all the best. He was an extraordinary player, with extraordinary talent. I share this title and this trophy with you and with all our Argentine comrades. Becoming world champion (in Qatar on 18/12/2022) is the title I was missing, and I'd like to thank all those who made it possible," he declared as he received the Ballon d'Or from David Beckham, co-owner of Inter Miami CF (MLS)…