By Naomi Kangyang Patrick
Argentina captain Lionel Messi and Spanish Midfielder Aitiana Bonmati were yesterday crowned the 2023 BALLON D’OR men’s and women’s football player of the year.
The ceremony which took place at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris saw Inter Miami CF and FC Barcelona stars top the voting chart ahead of Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and PSG Kylian Mbappe – men’s category and Chelsea’s Sam Ker and FC Barcelona’s Salma Paralluelo- women’s category to scoop the prestigious award.
The Argentine star who was crowned for the record 8th time in his acceptance commended his fellow nominee, Erling Haaland, and tipped him to clinch the award in the coming years.
“Erling Haaland desired it very much too, he has won the premier league, the Champions League while being the top scorer of everything. This award could have been yours today too…I’m sure in the next year you will win it”, he said
Lionel Messi who led Argentina to the World Cup triumph in 2022 now has three more Ballon d’or titles than his closest rival Cristiano Ronaldo, having won the award in 2009,2010,2011,2012,2015,2019,2021 and 2023 respectfully.
Similarly, Aitiana Bonmati reacting after being handed the gong commended her fellow nominees and implored them to be role models on and off the Pitch.
“Congratulations to all the nominees. All of them are great and inspiring footballers. As role models, we have a responsibility on and off the pitch. We should be more than athletes. Keep leading by example and keep fighting for a better, peaceful, and more equal world”, she said
The FIFA Women’s World Cup Golden Ball winner succeeds her fellow Spanish and FC Barcelona teammate Alex Putellas to clinch the fifth edition of the women’s Category.
The other categories of awards went to Jude Bellingham of Real Madrid as the Kopa trophy winner, Emiliano Martinez as the Yachine trophy winner, Erling Haaland of Manchester City as the Gerd Muller trophy winner, Vinicius JR of Real Madrid for the Socrates award; FC Barcelona and Manchester City as the Women’s and Men’s Football club of the year.
The ceremony saw the presence of numerous prestigious footballers both active and retired across different clubs in the world.
