Sahitya Samagam

 LIONEL MESSI IS THE 2023 MEN’S BALLON D’OR!

Lionel Messi won the 2023 Men's Ballon d'Or award, extending his record tally to eight. The award was presented at a ceremony in Paris, France on October 30, 2023.

Messi captained Argentina to victory in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, scoring seven goals and providing five assists in the tournament. He also had a strong season at club level, helping Paris Saint-Germain win the Ligue 1 title and scoring 11 goals in the UEFA Champions League.

💬 The speech of the 2023 Ballon d'Or winner, Lionel Messi #ballondor pic.twitter.com/HRaNdRwclG

— Ballon d'Or #ballondor (@ballondor) October 30, 2023

Messi finished ahead of Erling Haaland of Manchester City and Kylian Mbappé of Paris Saint-Germain in the voting. He is now the only player to have won the Ballon d'Or eight times.

The moment when 🐐 was announced as the #BallonDor winner.

- Lionel Messi, the icon!pic.twitter.com/QNZOmBgeMe

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) October 30, 2023

The winner of the 2023 Women's Ballon d'Or is Aitana Bonmatí.

Bonmatí is a 25-year-old Spanish midfielder who plays for Barcelona and the Spain national team. She is a dynamic and creative player who is known for her passing, vision, and goal-scoring ability.

Bonmatí had an outstanding season in 2022-23, helping Barcelona to win the Champions League and the Spanish league title. She also scored six goals in nine appearances for the Spain national team.

Bonmatí is the first Spanish player to win the Women's Ballon d'Or.

Gaudeix del teu moment, @AitanaBonmati 🙌🙌 pic.twitter.com/WKGIjhtgmK

— FC Barcelona Femení (@FCBfemeni) October 30, 2023

Congratulations to Aitana Bonmatí on this prestigious award!

Ballon d'Or 2023: Messi the favorite, but Mbappe and Haaland loom large

The Ballon d'Or is one of the most prestigious awards in all of sports, and the 2023 edition is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent years. Lionel Messi is the favorite to win the award for a record eighth time, but Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland are both hot on his heels.

Ballon d'Or 2023: Messi the favorite, but Mbappe and Haaland loom large

Messi enjoyed a stellar 2023 season, helping Paris Saint-Germain win the Ligue 1 title and leading Argentina to the World Cup title. He was named the player of the tournament at the World Cup, and he also won the Golden Boot award for scoring the most goals.

Mbappe had another outstanding season for PSG, scoring 45 goals in all competitions. He also helped France reach the final of the World Cup, where they lost to Argentina on penalties.

Haaland had a sensational season for Borussia Dortmund, scoring 50 goals in all competitions. He helped Dortmund win the DFB-Pokal, and he was also named the Bundesliga Player of the Season.

In addition to Messi, Mbappe, and Haaland, there are a number of other players who could challenge for the Ballon d'Or this year. These include Robert Lewandowski, Kevin De Bruyne, Mohamed Salah, and Karim Benzema.

Here is a look at the top contenders for the 2023 Ballon d'Or:

Lionel Messi

Messi is the clear favorite to win the Ballon d'Or this year. He had an incredible season, helping both PSG and Argentina win major trophies. He was also named the player of the tournament at the World Cup, which is a huge boost to his chances of winning the award.

Kylian Mbappe

Mbappe is another strong contender for the Ballon d'Or. He had another outstanding season for PSG, scoring 45 goals in all competitions. He also helped France reach the final of the World Cup, where they lost to Argentina on penalties.

Erling Haaland

Haaland is the third favorite to win the Ballon d'Or this year. He had a sensational season for Borussia Dortmund, scoring 50 goals in all competitions. He helped Dortmund win the DFB-Pokal, and he was also named the Bundesliga Player of the Season.

Robert Lewandowski

Lewandowski is another strong contender for the Ballon d'Or. He had another prolific season for Bayern Munich, scoring 50 goals in all competitions. He helped Bayern win the Bundesliga title, and he was also named the Bundesliga Player of the Season for the second year in a row.

Kevin De Bruyne

De Bruyne is one of the best midfielders in the world, and he had another excellent season for Manchester City. He helped City win the Premier League title and reach the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League.

Mohamed Salah

Salah is one of the most dangerous attackers in the world, and he had another outstanding season for Liverpool. He helped Liverpool win the FA Cup and Carabao Cup, and he also finished as the Premier League's top scorer with 23 goals.

Karim Benzema

Benzema is enjoying a late-career renaissance, and he had another excellent season for Real Madrid. He helped Madrid win the La Liga title and the UEFA Champions League, and he was also named the UEFA Men's Player of the Year.

Who will win the 2023 Ballon d'Or?

It is difficult to say who will win the 2023 Ballon d'Or, but Messi is the clear favorite. He had an incredible season, winning major trophies with both PSG and Argentina. He was also named the player of the tournament at the World Cup, which is a huge boost to his chances of winning the award.

However, Mbappe and Haaland are both hot on Messi's heels. They are both world-class players who are capable of winning the Ballon d'Or in the future.

Ultimately, the winner of the 2023 Ballon d'Or will be decided by a panel of journalists from around the world. They will take into account a number of factors, including individual performances, team success, and overall impact on the game.

Here are some other players who could challenge for the 2023 Ballon d'Or:

• Sadio Mane
• Trent Alexander-Arnold
• Virgil van Dijk
• Luka Modric
• Toni Kroos
• Bernardo Silva
• Neymar
• Lionel Scaloni (Argentina manager)
• Didier Deschamps (France manager)
• Pep Guardiola (Manchester City manager)
• Carlo Ancelotti (Real Madrid manager)

It is going to be an exciting Ballon d'Or race this year, and it will be interesting to see who comes out on top.

A Brief History

The Ballon d'Or, which translates to "Golden Ball" in French, was established in 1956 by the French football magazine, France Football. Originally, it was awarded only to European players playing in Europe. However, it underwent significant changes in 1995 when eligibility was expanded to include players from around the world. This alteration allowed some of the greatest players from South America, Africa, and other regions to compete for the coveted title.

Over the years, the Ballon d'Or has been won by legendary figures such as Pelé, Diego Maradona, Zinedine Zidane, and Lionel Messi. Messi, in particular, has dominated the award, winning it seven times (as of my knowledge cutoff date in 2022) and is considered one of the greatest footballers of all time.

In recent years, the award has been dominated by Messi and Ronaldo, with Messi winning a record seven Ballon d'Ors and Ronaldo winning five.

Significance of the Ballon d'Or

The Ballon d'Or holds immense significance in the football world for several reasons:

1. Recognition of Excellence: It acknowledges and celebrates the efforts and achievements of individual players. Football is a team sport, but the Ballon d'Or allows us to honor those who have stood out through their incredible skill, goal-scoring prowess, and leadership on the field.

2. Historical Legacy: The Ballon d'Or is a significant part of football history. Winning it cements a player's place in the annals of the sport and contributes to their legacy.

3. Global Appeal: With the inclusion of players from around the world, the Ballon d'Or has evolved into a global award that unites football fans from all corners of the globe.

4. Healthy Competition: The award creates a healthy competitive spirit among players to perform at their best throughout the year, benefiting their clubs, national teams, and the sport as a whole.

Ballon d'Or 2023: The Most Prestigious Award in Football

The criteria for winning the Ballon d'Or have evolved over time. Initially, the award was limited to European players playing in European leagues. However, in 1995, it was opened up to players from all continents, leading to more diversity in the list of winners. The voting process involves a panel of international journalists, national team coaches and captains, managers, and, in some years, an online fan vote. Players are assessed on various factors, including their performance on the pitch, consistency throughout the year, influence on their team's success, and individual achievements.

Contenders for Ballon d'Or 2023 | Who will be the winner of Ballon d'Or 2023

As of my knowledge cutoff date in 2022, there were several standout players who were strong contenders for the Ballon d'Or in 2023. However, it's important to note that football is a dynamic sport, and performances can change rapidly. Here are a few players who were expected to be in the running for the Ballon d'Or in 2023:

Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi is the clear favorite to win the 2023 Ballon d'Or. He had an exceptional year, leading Argentina to victory in the World Cup and winning the Golden Ball as the player of the tournament. Messi also had a strong season for Paris Saint-Germain, scoring 34 goals and providing 19 assists in 46 appearances in all competitions.

If Messi wins the 2023 Ballon d'Or, it will be his eighth award, which would extend his record as the most decorated player in the history of the award.

Kylian Mbappé

Kylian Mbappé is another strong contender for the 2023 Ballon d'Or. He had a brilliant season for Paris Saint-Germain, scoring 50 goals and providing 26 assists in 57 appearances in all competitions. Mbappé also had a strong performance at the World Cup, scoring four goals and providing two assists in seven appearances for France.

If Mbappé wins the 2023 Ballon d'Or, it will be his first award. He would also become the youngest player to win the Ballon d'Or since Ronaldo in 2008.

Erling Haaland

Erling Haaland is another young player who is challenging for the 2023 Ballon d'Or. He had a prolific season for Borussia Dortmund, scoring 29 goals in 30 appearances in all competitions. Haaland also had a strong performance at the World Cup, scoring six goals in four appearances for Norway.

If Haaland wins the 2023 Ballon d'Or, it will be his first award. He would also become the youngest player to win the Ballon d'Or since Ronaldo in 2008.

Robert Lewandowski

Robert Lewandowski is a veteran striker who is still one of the best players in the world. He had another incredible season for Bayern Munich, scoring 50 goals in 46 appearances in all competitions. Lewandowski also had a strong performance at the World Cup, scoring three goals in three appearances for Poland.

If Lewandowski wins the 2023 Ballon d'Or, it will be his first award. He would also become the oldest player to win the Ballon d'Or since Fabio Cannavaro in 2006.

Other Contenders

Other players who could challenge for the 2023 Ballon d'Or include:

• Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)
• Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
• Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)
• Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund)
• Sadio Mané (Bayern Munich)

Player	Nationality	Position	Club
Bernardo Silva	Portugal	Midfielder	Manchester City
Mohamed Salah	Egypt	Forward	Liverpool
Bukayo Saka	England	Forward	Arsenal
Rodri	Spain	Midfielder	Manchester City
Victor Osimhen	Nigeria	Forward	Napoli
André Onana	Cameroon	Goalkeeper	Manchester United[j]
Martin Ødegaard	Norway	Midfielder	Arsenal
Jamal Musiala	Germany	Midfielder	Bayern Munich
Luka Modrić	Croatia	Midfielder	Real Madrid
Kim Min-jae	South Korea	Defender	Manchester United
Lionel Messi	Argentina	Forward	Inter Miami
Kylian Mbappé	France	Forward	Paris Saint-Germain
Lautaro Martínez	Argentina	Forward	Inter Milan
Emiliano Martínez	Argentina	Goalkeeper	Aston Villa
Robert Lewandowski	Poland	Forward	Barcelona
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia	Georgia	Forward	Napoli
Randal Kolo Muani	France	Forward	Paris Saint-Germain
Harry Kane	England	Forward	Manchester United
Vinícius Júnior	Brazil	Forward	Real Madrid
Erling Haaland	Norway	Forward	Manchester City
Joško Gvardiol	Croatia	Defender	Manchester City
İlkay Gündoğan	Germany	Midfielder	Barcelona[d]
Antoine Griezmann	France	Forward	Atlético Madrid
Rúben Dias	Portugal	Defender	Manchester City
Kevin De Bruyne	Belgium	Midfielder	Manchester City
Yassine Bounou	Morocco	Goalkeeper	Al-Hilal
Karim Benzema	France	Forward	Al-Ittihad
Jude Bellingham	England	Midfielder	Real Madrid
Nicolò Barella	Italy	Midfielder	Inter Milan
Julián Álvarez	Argentina	Forward	Manchester City

Ballon d'Or 2023 Live Stream And How To Watch Online?

For global viewers, regional broadcasters will transmit the ceremony live on their networks. In the United States, Paramount+ is the chosen platform for streaming the Ballon d'Or ceremony, while the United Kingdom audience can tune in via TNT Sports 2 and Discovery+. 

Country	TV & stream
United Kingdom	TNT Sports 2, discovery+, BBC Red Button
United States	Paramount+
International	L'Equipe YouTube
Australia	SBS On Demand
New Zealand	L'Equipe YouTube

Furthermore, the ceremony will also be accessible at no cost through L’Equipe’s YouTube channel, featuring the illustrious presence of Chelsea legend Didier Drogba as the charismatic host of the live coverage.

Ballon d'Or 2023: Messi the favorite, but Mbappe and Haaland loom large. The 2023 Ballon d'Or is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent years. There are a number of players who could challenge Lionel Messi for the award, including Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, and Robert Lewandowski.

It will be interesting to see who wins the award this year. Messi is the clear favorite, but Mbappé, Haaland, and Lewandowski are all world-class players who could challenge him. The winner of the 2023 Ballon d'Or will be decided by a panel of journalists from around the world, and will be announced in December.

In addition to the above, here are some other factors that could be considered when voting for the 2023 Ballon d'Or:

• Individual performance: This is the most important factor, and voters will look at the player's goals, assists, and overall impact on their team.
• Team success: Voters will also consider the player's team success, and whether they won any trophies during the year.
• Impact on the game: Voters will also look at the player's impact on the game as a whole. Did they inspire their team

The Ballon d'Or 2023: Celebrating Football's Finest

The Ballon d'Or is an annual celebration of the best football has to offer, recognizing the players who have excelled in the sport. The 2023 edition promises to be another thrilling contest, with players like Messi, Mbappé, Benzema, Haaland, Kanté, Lewandowski, and Salah vying for the prestigious award. It is a testament to the global appeal and enduring legacy of the sport, where players from all corners of the world can compete for the title of the world's best.

As football fans, we eagerly await the announcement of the Ballon d'Or 2023 winner, who will join the ranks of legends who have left an indelible mark on the beautiful game. The recipient of this award will not only be celebrated by their fans but also remembered as a true footballing great.