Messi wins record eighth Ballon d'Or, Haaland gets Gerd Muller Trophy

The 2023 Ballon d'Or awards ceremony in Paris witnessed Lionel Messi outshining Norwegian goal-machine Erling Haaland to claim his eighth Ballon d'Or, a thanks to his outstanding performance in the 2022 World Cup with Argentina.

Messi’s record 8th Ballon d’Or

• The Argentine football superstar Lionel Messi reached a new peak of his career after winning his eighth Ballon d’Or for the footballing season 2022-23. 

• Messi-led Argentina’s victory at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar not only marked a spectacular point in a legendary career but also firmly placed him in the running for the Ballon d'Or award.

• While Erling Haaland outscored him last season, Messi's exceptional individual displays in Qatar significantly contributed to predictions of him winning the award.

Bonmati win Ballon d’Or feminin

• Aitana Bonmati, the Spanish and Barcelona  midfielder from, secured her first Women's Ballon d'Or.
• The 25-year-old had a remarkable year, contributing to her club's victory in the Spanish top division and the Champions League.

• She also played a vital role in her national team's World Cup win over the summer. 
• Aitana Bonmati adds to her already award-filled season, with being named Uefa's Player of the Year in August. 

Emiliano Martinez wins Yashin trophy

• On Monday night, Emiliano Martinez, the Argentine and Aston Villa goalkeeper, clinched the 2023 Yashin Trophy. 
• This award recognizes him as the best goalkeeper of the 2022-23 season, honouring his outstanding performance during Argentina's victory in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. 

• Martinez's achievement marks him as just the fifth recipient of this esteemed accolade, underlining his exceptional talent and impact in the world of football.
• His father, Alberto Martinez, presented Emiliano with this esteemed accolade.

Erling Haaland bags Gerd Muller Trophy 2023

• Erling Haaland clinched the Gerd Muller Trophy at the 2023 Ballon d'Or event, attributing his treble-winning performance with Manchester City. 
• Haaland secured the title for the highest-scoring male player in the 2022/23 season, notching 56 goals for both City and Norway. 

• The 23-year-old narrowly edged out Kylian Mbappe, who netted 55 times for Paris Saint-Germain and France. 
• The Norwegian striker recorded 36 league goals, surpassing the previous record of 34 goals for the most in a single Premier League campaign. 

Vinicius Jr gets Socrates trophy 2023 

• Vinicius Junior, a standout player for Real Madrid, claimed the Socrates Award at the 2023 Ballon d'Or event in Paris.
• He was recognized for his philanthropic efforts through the Vini.Jr Institute, which supports an educational app benefiting disadvantaged kids in Brazil. 

• This app offers complimentary educational tools for children, and Vinicius is on track to contribute over $1 million this year, with a commitment to increase his support to $2.5 million in 2024.

• During the Paris awards event, co-host Didier Drogba noted that Vinicius' public stand against racism influenced the decision to award him the Socrates Award. Vinicius, who has often faced racial abuse in Spain, has consistently used his platform to highlight this issue.

Jude Bellingham wins Kopa trophy 2023

• Jude Bellingham, a rising talent from Real Madrid and England, secured the Kopa Trophy for the top player under 21 during the Ballon d'Or event in Paris on Monday. 

• The 20-year-old sensation and former Dortmund star made a remarkable Real Madrid debut, scoring a pair of goals in their 2-1 Clasico victory over Barcelona, totaling 13 goals in his first 13 appearances for the Spanish club. 
• In his last season with Borussia Dortmund, Bellingham netted 14 goals in 42 matches, leading the team to a second-place finish in the Bundesliga. Furthermore, he played a crucial role in England's journey to the World Cup quarterfinals in Qatar.