Ballon d’Or 2023: Lionel Messi Beats Erling Haaland to Win Record Extending 8th Award

• Lionel Messi has been announced as the winner of the 2023 Ballon d'Or
• He beat Erling Haaland to win a record-extending 8th Golden Ball award
• Messi's exploits for Argentina at the 2022 FIFA World Cup were pivotal

Lionel Messi has been officially announced as the winner of the 2023 Ballon d'Or, beating competition from his closest challenger, Erling Haaland.

The Argentine was highly favoured to win after leading Argentina to the 2022 FIFA World Cup title in Qatar and for his role in Paris Saint-Germain's back-to-back Ligue 1 titles.

Messi's closest challenger was Manchester City's striker Erling Haaland, who came second and won the Gerd Muller trophy - awarded to the year's best striker.

The latter trophy was unveiled in 2021 and was first presented to Robert Lewandowski that year - also the previous time the Inter Miami star won the prize awarded by France Football.

Lionel Messi: Argentine star reportedly 'wins eighth Ballon d'Or' after World Cup success

Football

Beckham announces Messi as Ballon d'Or winner

Chelsea legend and event host, Didier Drogba announced David Beckham would be presenting the award to Messi.

The Ivorian also had the honour of calling on Luis Suarez to present the award to the Argentine for a seventh time in 2021.

It is the Argentine's eighth gong, a record-extending number, having previously held the record for the most since winning his sixth in 2019 and his seventh in 2021.

The only player who comes close to Messi is Cristiano Ronaldo, who won the award five times. The Portuguese star was not nominated for this year's prize.

Messi arrives with his family

The Argentina captain arrived at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, France, for the ceremony in the company of his wife, Antonella Roccuzzo and his kids - Thiago, Mateo and Ciro - similar to their arrival in 2021.

He had a front-row seat reserved for him in the company of his national teammates, Inter Miami striker Lautaro Martinez and Manchester City forward Julian Alvarez.

Rodri backs Lionel Messi to win 2023 Ballon d'Or ahead of Erling Haaland

Football

5 reasons Messi beat Haaland

Sports Brief reported 5 reasons Messi beat Haaland to the Ballon d'Or after the Inter Miami captain was officially confirmed as the winner at the gala in Paris, France.

Last year, the former Barcelona captain won the only trophy eluding him - the FIFA World Cup - and was Argentina's main man when it came to all the important games.

Haaland admires Messi's dribbling

Sports Brief also previously reported on Haaland wanting one attribute of Messi's ahead of their showdown for the coveted Ballon d'Or later last night (October 30).

The Manchester City star was asked to name any player and pick one skill of theirs and he picked the Argentine and named his dribbling as one attribute he desired.

Ronaldo settles GOAT debate

Sports Brief also reported on Ronaldo settling the debate with Messi after declaring the rivalry between him and the Argentine as 'over' at a press conference weeks ago.

Football is awaiting its next generation of superstars to compete at the top level for the years to come, with Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland strong contenders to excel.