The winner of the 2023 Ballon d'Or award has now been revealed!
After FIFA announced the nominees for this year's award in September, the wait has finally come to an end following the official announcement of the best player in the world for the period from August 2022 to July 2023.
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Up against the likes of Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe, it was confirmed at a glitzy awards gala at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris tonight that Lionel Messi is this year's recipient of arguably the most revered individual award in football.
The Argentina international was the favourite to win the prize for a record-extending eighth time in his career heading in to the ceremony due to his unforgettable 2022/23 campaign with Ligue 1 side Paris Saint-Germain and even more so his international side.
Before departing the French club at the end of last season, he helped them to their 11th league title, which cemented their position as the most successful team in the history of the French top flight. It was also Les Parisiens' fifth league triumph in six seasons as he scored 21 goals and got 20 assists in 41 games across all competitions.
However, it was, without a doubt, the 26-year-old's outstanding performances at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar that catapulted him to the top of the Golden Ball shortlist.
Wearing the captain's armband as Argentina were crowned champions of the world, Messi's seven goals and three assists played a pivotal role as the South American nation claimed its first world title since 1986, when the side was captained by a 25-year-old Diego Maradona.
Haaland managed to finish second in the voting after his impressive 2022/23 season while Mbappe rounded off the podium by coming in third.
Another award up for grabs was the Ballon d'Or Feminin, also known as the Women's Ballon d'Or, which recognises the best female player to have emerged from the previous season and was first introduced in 2018.
This year, Aitana Bonmatí was awarded the honour for being the standout out performer in the women's game.
The winner of the Kopa Trophy was also announced. This association football award was also introduced in 2018 and recognises the world's best performing player under the age of 21.
It had previously been won by the likes of Kylian Mbappe (in 2018), Matthijs de Ligt (2019), Pedri (2021) and Gavi (2022).
This year, however, Jude Bellingham was recipient of the prize after proving himself the best starlet world football has to offer.
Other award winners on the night
Yashin Trophy (for the best goalkeeper): Emiliano Martinez (Argentina/Aston Villa)
Socrates Award (recognises humanitarian work by a football personality): Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid/Brazil)
Gerd Muller Trophy (for the best striker): Erling Haaland (Manchester City/Norway)
Men's Club of the Year: Manchester City
Women's Club of the Year: FC Barcelona Femení
Read: Hazard: Why Messi must win Ballon d'Or over Mbappe & Haaland
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