Kylian Mbappe’s gracious gesture towards Lionel Messi following his historic eighth Ballon d’Or victory was a touching moment in the world of football. Messi’s claim to the prestigious award in the 2022/23 season was well-deserved, thanks to his exceptional performances with Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1 and his crowning achievement of leading Argentina to World Cup glory, ending a 36-year drought for his nation.
The Ballon d’Or was widely anticipated to be Messi’s after the World Cup triumph, although it’s important to note that the final against France in Qatar could have gone either way. Mbappe’s stunning hat-trick performance in a penalty shootout added to the suspense. If France had emerged victorious, it’s possible that Mbappe could have clinched his first Ballon d’Or. However, the young French talent displayed remarkable sportsmanship by taking to Instagram to extend his congratulations to Messi, recognizing the Argentine’s well-deserved accolade with the words, “Congratulations Leo for your award. You deserve it.”
Messi’s record now boasts an incredible eight Ballon d’Or titles, earned in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, and 2023. While Cristiano Ronaldo has claimed the honor five times (in 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2017), other legends like Michel Platini, Johan Cruyff, and Marco van Basten have each won it three times.
This year, Messi faced formidable competition from Manchester City stars Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne, and Rodri, not to mention Mbappe. In his acceptance speech, Messi humbly shared the honor with his international teammates and acknowledged their collective efforts. He also praised the young talents in contention, including Kylian, Erling, and Kevin, highlighting their promising futures in the world of football.
Messi expressed his elation at winning the World Cup and dedicated the award to his long-cherished dream. He extended his gratitude to his wife and paid a special tribute to the late Diego Maradona, noting that it was Maradona’s birthday. Overall, the evening marked a significant moment in acknowledging these exceptional talents and their contributions to the sport.
Furthermore, the women’s Ballon d’Or was awarded to Aitana Bonmati for her crucial role in Spain’s World Cup victory. Erling Haaland, on the other hand, received the Gerd Muller Trophy as the best striker, recognizing his incredible achievement of scoring 52 goals for Manchester City in the previous season. Haaland expressed his pride in his team’s accomplishments but also emphasized their unwavering commitment to striving for even greater success.
