Lionel Messi beats Haaland for 8th Ballon d’Or in 2023, Lionel Messi has won his record-extending eighth Ballon d’Or award, beating out Manchester City striker Erling Haaland. Messi’s victory was largely due to his exploits with Argentina, as he led them to their first World Cup title in 36 years.
Messi was in sensational form for Argentina at the World Cup, scoring seven goals and providing five assists in seven matches. He was named the player of the tournament, and his performances were widely praised.
In addition to his World Cup success, Messi also had a strong season for Paris Saint-Germain. He scored 32 goals and provided 23 assists in 55 matches across all competitions, helping PSG win the Ligue 1 title.
Haaland was also a worthy contender for the Ballon d’Or. He had an outstanding season for Manchester City, scoring 42 goals in 48 matches across all competitions. He also helped City win the Premier League title and the FA Cup.
However, Messi’s World Cup success ultimately proved to be the deciding factor in the Ballon d’Or vote. He is now the only player to have won the award eight times, and he is widely regarded as the greatest footballer of all time.
The following is a breakdown of the full results of the Lionel Messi beats Haaland for 8th Ballon d’Or in 2023
- Lionel Messi (Argentina/Paris Saint-Germain)
- Erling Haaland (Norway/Manchester City)
- Kylian Mbappe (France/Paris Saint-Germain)
- Robert Lewandowski (Poland/Bayern Munich)
- Karim Benzema (France/Real Madrid)
- Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium/Manchester City)
- Sadio Mane (Senegal/Bayern Munich)
- Mohamed Salah (Egypt/Liverpool)
- Luka Modric (Croatia/Real Madrid)
- Virgil van Dijk (Netherlands/Liverpool)
Analysis
Messi’s victory in the Ballon d’Or vote is a testament to his greatness. He is now the only player to have won the award eight times, and he is widely regarded as the greatest footballer of all time.
Haaland’s second-place finish is a sign of his immense potential. He is only 22 years old, and he has already scored over 200 goals in his career. He is sure to challenge for the Ballon d’Or for many years to come.
Mbappe’s third-place finish is also impressive. He is still only 23 years old, and he has already won the World Cup and the Ligue 1 title. He is one of the most exciting players in the world, and he is sure to win the Ballon d’Or one day.
Overall, the 2023 Ballon d’Or vote was a close race, and there were many worthy contenders. However, Messi’s World Cup success ultimately proved to be the deciding factor. He is a true legend of the game, and he deserves all the praise that he gets.
