Messi beat Norway’s UEFA player of the year, and treble winner Erling Haaland of
Manchester City after leading Argentina to the World Cup last year.. France and Paris
St Germain’s Kylian Mbappe completed the list of the top three best players in the
world.
Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen and Asisat Oshoala both made history for Nigeria and Africa
as they finished in an impressive 8th and 20th positions in the 2023 Men and
Women’s Ballon d’Or rankings.
Meanwhile, Haaland claimed the Gerd Muller Trophy given to the best striker of the
year, Messi’s Argentina teammate Emiliano Martinez won the Yashin Trophy for best
goalkeeper, England and Real Madrid midfielder, Jude Bellingham was handed the
Kopa Trophy as the world’s top player under the age of 21, and Barcelona and Spain
midfielder, Aitana Bonmatí won the Ballon d’Or Féminin after a record-breaking year
helping her club Barça win Liga F and the Champions League last season, before
leading Spain to World Cup glory in August.