Messi Wins 8th Ballon d'Or... Kim Min-jae Ranks 22nd

Lionel Messi (36, Argentina) extended his record for the most Ballon d'Or trophies awarded to the world's best football player to eight.

Messi was selected as the winner in the men's category at the 2023 Ballon d'Or ceremony held in Paris, France, on the 31st (Korean time). He reclaimed the trophy from Karim Benzema (36, France), who won last year, marking his eighth individual win. Messi won the Ballon d'Or four consecutive times from 2009 to 2012 and also earned the honor in 2015, 2019, and 2021. He widened the gap in Ballon d'Or wins with his eternal rival Cristiano Ronaldo (38, Portugal) to three.

Lionel Messi (36, Inter Miami) raised the trophy after being announced as the winner at the 2023 Ballon d'Or ceremony held in Paris, France, on the 30th (local time).
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Last year, Messi led Argentina to victory in the FIFA Qatar World Cup. He scored two goals in the final against France and contributed 7 goals and 3 assists in 7 matches, bringing the trophy home to his country for the first time in 36 years. He also led his club team, Paris Saint-Germain of the French professional league, to their 11th league title last season.

Although Messi finished second in the UEFA Player of the Year vote in August, losing to Erling Haaland (23, Norway), this time he pushed Haaland to second place and avenged the loss. Haaland was the top scorer in both the English Premier League (EPL) and the UEFA Champions League (UCL) during the 2022-2023 season, leading his team Manchester City to EPL and UCL titles. He was aiming for his first Ballon d'Or but was blocked by Messi.

At 36 years old, Messi also set the record as the second oldest Ballon d'Or winner in history. The oldest Ballon d'Or winner remains Stanley Matthews (England), who won at age 41 in 1956.

In the voting this year, Kim Min-jae (27, Bayern Munich) became the first Asian defender to be nominated for the Ballon d'Or, finishing in 22nd place. This is a joint second-best record among Asian players. Son Heung-min ranked 11th last year, the highest ever for an Asian player, and in 2019, Kim Min-jae also placed 22nd, the same as this year.