Lionel Messi edges Haaland, Mbappe to 2023 Ballon d’Or award

Lionel Messi continues to sit alone atop the Ballon d’Or all-time winners list.

The Inter Miami star won the prestigious award for the eighth time of his career on Monday night. Messi edged Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappé, and Man City’s Kevin De Bruyne for the honor, which is awarded by France Football.

He is the first active Ballon d’Or winner from MLS.

“I couldn’t imagine having the career that I’ve had,” Messi said at the award ceremony in Paris, France on Monday. “Everything that I’ve achieved. The fortune I’ve had playing for the best team in the world, the best team in history. It’s nice to win these individual trophies. To win the Copa América and then the World Cup, to get it done is amazing.”

“They’re all special, all these awards,” he added. “The most important thing is team prizes.”

Messi, 36, led his native Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title in Qatar, earning the tournament’s Golden Ball after tallying seven goals and three assists.

Argentina defeated Mbappé and France in a memorable final while Messi also earned the Silver Ball for the second-most goals scored in the competition.

Prior to his MLS move, Messi lifted the 2022-23 Ligue 1 title and 2022 Trophée des Champions. He led Ligue 1 in assists (16) last year, while also adding 16 goals.

Messi made an instant impact with Inter Miami following his monumental move to North America, helping the Herons win the 2023 Leagues Cup for their first trophy success in club history. He scored 10 goals and added four assists in seven Leagues Cup appearances.

“Having left Europe, having chosen Inter Miami, I am very happy and pleased with the decision I made,” Messi said. “[I will] enjoy the moment with my family, enjoy more time in Argentina, which is what I always wanted and never could because we had a game in a few days.”

“To say he’s a Miami player and he’s in our city, that’s a special thing,” Inter Miami owner David Beckham said at the ceremony. “Like Leo’s just said, he’ll celebrate it with teammates, they achieved so much last year. Also with his family, with his amazing wife and his children, and his family back in Argentina. He will celebrate it in his way and we will do our best to celebrate it in the Miami way.”

Despite Messi’s best efforts though, Inter Miami failed to qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs and will continue what should be a busy offseason.

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