2023 Ballon d’Or: Full List of Votes by Countries After Messi's Historic 8th Award Win

• The full voting list for the 2023 Ballon d'Or award by country has been released
• Lionel Messi clinched the prize ahead of both Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe
• The Argentine icon earned 462 points in the voting process for the 2023 edition

To say the 2023 Ballon d'Or award has generated some controversy would be an understatement of note.

Lionel Messi earned a record-extending eighth prize at the gala on October 30, with some slamming the awards after Manchester City treble-winner, Erling Haaland finished second.

Amid the claims of the Ballon d'Or being rigged, France Football - organisers of the event - have released details of the voting process, aiming to provide transparency and dispel doubts.

The basis for Messi's win is believed to have been his heroics for Argentina on their journey to the 2022 World Cup title in Qatar, where he inspired the South Americans from an opening game defeat to beating France in the final.

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However, there are those who feel he did not deserve it over Haaland, who scored 56 goals across all competitions for club and country as Man City won the European treble of the Premier League, the FA Cup, and the UEFA Champions League.

Ballon d'Or votes from countries

According to the information released online, as reported by SportBible, a panel of selected football journalists from across the world voted Messi ahead of Haaland by a big margin, with Kylian Mbappe third on the list.

Reporters from over 180 nations were asked to cast their vote from a 30-man shortlist, with first place receiving six points, second getting four points, third earning three, fourth collecting two, and fifth picking up a solitary point.

Renowned journalist and football insider, Fabrizio Romano also released the voting statistics from all the countries involved, with Messi claiming the top spot as determined by over 60 nations.

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Messi secured the Ballon d'Or with 462 points - 105 points ahead of second-placed Haaland, while Mbappe clinched third position with 270 points and Kevin De Bruyne finished fourth with 100 points.

However, the Argentine veteran failed to receive any votes from journalists representing Cameroon, Cape Verde, Guinea, Jordan, Switzerland, and El Salvador.

However, the likes of England, Germany, and Spain voted Messi as their number-one pick as the Inter Miami superstar forward took home his eighth title.

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Messi wins 8th Ballon d'Or prize

Sports Brief previously reported on Messi winning the Ballon d'Or for the eighth time in his career at a star-studded ceremony in Paris on Monday, October 30.

The 36-year-old succeeded Karim Benzema as the winner of the prize, awarded for his performances last season when he led Argentina to World Cup glory.