Yesterday (Monday, October 30, 2023), footballers, entertainers, sports enthusiasts, and stakeholders around the world attended the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, France, for the Ballon d’Or. This year’s edition of the event is a celebration of soccer talents and dedication to the sport.
As always, the spotlight was shone on the most gifted footballers in the world, but the event was also brimming with unforgettable moments. Amongst other things, it marked a night when legends were celebrated, history was made, and football’s future stars basked in the limelight.
1-30 ranking of 2023 Ballon d’Or
1: Lionel Messi (PSG, Inter Miami & Argentina)
2: Erling Haaland (Man City & Norway)
3: Kylian Mbappe (PSG & France)
4: Kevin De Bruyne (Man City & Belgium)
5: Rodri (Man City & Spain)
6: Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid & Brazil)
7: Julian Alvarez (Man City & Argentina)
8: Victor Osimhen (Napoli & Nigeria)
9: Bernardo Silva (Man City & Portugal)
10: Luka Modric (Real Madrid & Croatia)
11: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool & Egypt)
12: Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona & Poland)
13: Yassine Bounou (Sevilla, Al Hilal & Morocco)
14: Ilkay Gundogan (Man City, Barcelona & Germany)
15: Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa & Argentina)
16: Karim Benzema (Real Madrid, Al Ittihad & France)
17: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Napoli & Georgia)
18: Jude Bellingham (Dortmund, Real Madrid & England)
19: Harry Kane (Spurs, Bayern Munich & England)
20: Lautaro Martinez (Inter & Argentina)
21: Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid & France)
22: Kim Min-jae (Napoli, Bayern Munich & South Korea)
23: Andre Onana (Inter, Man Utd & Cameroon)
24: Bukayo Saka (Arsenal & England)
25: Josko Gvardiol (RB Leipzig, Man City & Croatia)
26: Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich & Germany)
27: Nicolo Barella (Inter & Italy)
28= Martin Odegaard (Arsenal & Norway)
28= Randal Kolo Muani (PSG & France)
30: Ruben Dias (Man City & Portugal)
Messi Won 2023 Ballon d’Or
2023 World Cup winner, and Argentina footballer, Lionel Messi claimed his eighth Ballon d’Or, becoming the only player with most of the prestigious awards.
With his latest win, Messi is now three wins clear of his arguably greatest rival, Cristiano Ronaldo, who has only claimed the award five times.
Here’s how things are …
- Lionel Messi: 8
- Cristiano Ronaldo: 5
- Michel Platini: 3
- Johan Cruyff: 3
- Marco van Basten: 3
Rema Makes History at 2023 Ballon d’Or
Nigerian afrobeat artiste, Divine Ikubor, otherwise known as Rema, made history with his performance at the 67th Ballon d’Or.
Rema took Afrobeat to new heights, performing his hit single, ‘Calm Down’.
Beckham Pays Tribute to Sir Bobby Charlton
David Beckham moved everyone with his tribute to the late Manchester United legend and World Cup winner, Sir Bobby Charlton.
His words, “He was respected on the pitch and even more so off the pitch for what he stood for. He’s going to be missed. When we looked into the stands we’d always see him there.
“On a personal side, he started everything for me. I went to his soccer school when I was 10 years old. Without him telling Manchester United to look out for me, I might never have played for them.
“My middle name is Robert after him.”
Afro World News
