It’s all Lionel Messi and Aitana Bonmatí this year, taking home the 2023 Ballon d’Or

The 2023 Ballon d’Or ceremony took place on October 31st in Paris, where Lionel Messi and Alexia Putellas were awarded the coveted Ballon d’Or trophies for the best male and female players of the year. However, in a surprise last minute announcement, Putellas was unable to attend due to injury and the women’s award was given to Barcelona captain Aitana Bonmatí instead.

The ceremony marked Messi’s record-extending 8th Ballon d’Or win and cemented his status as one of the best players of all time. Meanwhile, Bonmatí earned the primary Ballon d’Or win of her career at simply 23 years vintage.

Messi Claims Record eighth Ballon d’Or

Lionel Messi was awarded the 2021 Ballon d’Or trophy in reputation of his stellar season with Paris Saint-Germain and Argentina. Although PSG did no longer win any major trophies ultimate season, Messi showcased his genius with the aid of scoring 28 desires across all competitions.

However, it turned into Messi’s inspirational performance at the 2022 FIFA World Cup that sealed his 8th Ballon d’Or victory. He scored 7 goals and 3 Assists in 7 matches and led Argentina to World Cup glory in an epic final against France. This lengthy-awaited World Cup win changed into the crowning achievement of Messi’s illustrious career.

After receiving the award, an emotional Messi said:

“It’s amazing. It became an outstanding year and it method a lot to be here again. Without my teammates and own family, I wouldn’t be right here.”

Messi edged out sturdy opposition this year, along with last year’s winner Karim Benzema and teammates Kylian Mbappé and Neymar. His 8th Ballon d’Or win breaks his tie with Cristiano Ronaldo and makes him the only record holder for the maximum Ballon d’Or trophies.

2023 Ballon d’Or Win for Bonmatí After Putellas Injury

In a shocking last minute announcement, Alexia Putellas was forced to withdraw from the 2023 Ballon d’Or ceremony due to a knee injury. This paved the way for Barcelona’s midfield maestro Aitana Bonmatí to claim the women’s award instead.

Putellas was the heavy favorite to win after taking home last year’s Ballon d’Or along with the UEFA Player of the Year award. She played a vital role in Barcelona’s perfect league season, scoring 18 goals in just 15 appearances. However, a torn ACL in July cut her season short and hampered her Ballon d’Or chances.

Stepping up to collect the trophy was Bonmatí, who enjoyed a tremendous season with Barcelona and Spain. She was instrumental to Barcelona’s league title and displayed her creativity and defensive solidity in Spain’s Euro 2022 victory.

An ecstatic Bonmatí said:

“This is for all my teammates and the staff. I wish Alexia all the best and hope she recovers soon. She deserves great things.”

At just 23 years old, Bonmatí becomes the youngest winner since Ada Hegerberg in 2018. Her Ballon d’Or victory caps off a tremendous year for the Spanish midfielder.

2023 Ballon d’Or Other Key Awards and Highlights

In addition to the flagship awards, several other Ballon d’Or trophies were handed out:

Kopa Trophy – Gavi (Barcelona & Spain)
Yashin Trophy – Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid & Belgium)
Club of the Year – Manchester City (Women) & Real Madrid (Men)
Striker of the Year – Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona & Poland)
Best Young Player – Pedri (Spain & Barcelona)

The ceremony also recognized morals and integrity through two special awards:

Socrates Award – Sadio Mané (Bayern Munich & Senegal)
Gerd Muller Trophy – Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona & Poland)

Other highlights included emotional tributes to Pele and Sinisa Mihajlovic, who both passed away this year. Fans were also treated to energetic musical performances by DJ Snake and Giveon.

Social Media Explodes with Praise for Winners 2023 Ballon d’Or

The 2023 Ballon d’Or winners immediately drew praise and congratulations on social media from fans, players, clubs and pundits:

#BallonDor – The top trending hashtag as fans excitedly reacted to Messi and Bonmatí’s wins.
#GOAT – Messi fans proclaimed him as the Greatest of All Time after his record eighth trophy.
#Bonmatí – Twitter was full of praise for the young Barcelona star receiving her first Ballon d’Or.
#Putellas – Fans sent Putellas their well-wishes for a speedy recovery to claim next year’s award.

Clubs like PSG, Barcelona and Real Madrid all tweeted congratulatory messages to their winning players. Fellow players like Neymar, Mbappé, Alex Morgan and Wendie Renard also chimed in with praise.

The overwhelming consensus was congratulations for the very deserving winners Messi and Bonmatí for their standout years at club and country. Fans are already excitedly looking ahead to seeing if Messi can cement his GOAT status with number eight next year.

Messi’s Epochal Career

Lionel Messi’s record eighth Ballon d’Or win is the latest highlight of an epic career:

16+ Years at Barcelona – All-time appearance and goal record, 4 UCL titles, 10 La Liga titles, 7 Copa Del Rey.
Argentina’s Savior – Ended 28-year trophy drought, Copa America 2021 winner, 2022 World Cup glory.
Global Icon – UNICEF and WHO Ambassador, richest footballer via endorsements.
Records – 8 Ballons d’Or, 6 European Golden Boots, most La Liga scorer titles (8).

Messi made his Barcelona debut as a 17-year-old in 2004 and spent the next 16 years winning 35 trophies to become their all-time top scorer with 672 goals. However, his trophy count with Argentina was zero until he led them to Copa America success in 2021.

The 2022 World Cup changed into Messi’s final shot at World Cup glory, and he delivered with 7 goals and 3 assists and sheer pressure of will. At age 35, he has cemented himself as Argentina’s best ever footballer and has staked a robust declare as the best of all time.

Bonmatí Leading New Generation

While Messi continues to shine into his mid-30s, Aitana Bonmatí represents the next generation of talent. Some key facts about the 2023 Ballon d’Or winner:

Rising Star – Bonmatí is just 23 years old and already has a Ballon d’Or trophy.
Barcelona Graduate – Joined La Masia academy in 2013, promoted to first team in 2018.
Midfield Maestro – Dictates tempo, breakup play, switches field, eye for goal.
Winning Pedigree – 3 Liga F titles, 1 UCL title, 2022 Euros with Spain.
Breakout Year – Stellar 2022 season saw her stock rise immensely.

Bonmatí has progressed tremendously since her La Masia academy days. She is now a fixture in Barcelona’s world-class midfield alongside Alexia Putellas and the beating heart of Spain’s national team.

Despite her youth, Bonmatí plays with the confidence and intelligence of a veteran. Her Ballon d’Or caps a breakout year where she established herself as one of the world’s best midfielders. At just 23, the sky is the limit for this Spanish superstar.

Men’s 2023 Ballon d’Or Trends and Insights

Some interesting insights on trends for the men’s Ballon d’Or over the past decade:

Messi/Ronaldo Duopoly – The two legends have won 12 of the last 13 Ballons d’Or since 2009.
National Team Success – Winning major tournaments boosts chances (e.g. Messi’s 2022 World Cup win).
Champions League – Playing key role for winning team a frequent requirement.
Goals – Only strikers or goal-scoring forwards/wingers tend to win now.
Team Trophies – Individual brilliance alone not enough anymore to win.
Declining Italians – Last winner from Serie A was Cannavaro in 2006.

The generation of Messi and Ronaldo dominating the Ballon d’Or year after year seems to be over. With each now in their mid-30s, a new generation led by players like Mbappé ought to begin prevailing quickly.

But key factors remain like starring for a Champions League winning team or leading a national team to glory. The Ballon d’Or continues to evolve and new trends could certainly emerge in coming years.

Women’s 2023 Ballon d’Or Gaining Prestige

While the men’s Ballon d’Or has decades of history, the women’s award only launched in 2018. But it is rapidly growing in stature and recognition:

Rapid Progress – Now a fixture in awards season and hotly contested honor.
Increasing Media Coverage – Ceremony shown live on TV and internet by more broadcasters.
Star Power – Holders include legendary figures like Hegerberg, Rapinoe, Putellas.
Parity Push – Calls for gender-neutral single Ballon d’Or award.
Key Factor – Champions League success carries heavy weight.

The early winners like Hegerberg and Rapinoe have cemented the award’s reputation. As women’s club football continues to grow, seeing Champions League winners like Putellas claim the Ballon d’Or further enhances its prestige.

Many experts and fans are lobbying for a gender-neutral Ballon d’Or award. This movement towards parity could come to fruition in the next few years. The women’s award is still maturing but has already become one of the highest individual honors in world football.

Summary

The 2023 Ballon d’Or ceremony underlined Lionel Messi’s GOAT credentials with a record eighth trophy, while also crowning Alexia Putellas’ heir apparent in Aitana Bonmatí. Messi continues to shine in the twilight of his career, but Bonmatí’s emergence shows the next generational talents staking their claim for future Ballons d’Or.

Despite Putellas’ absence, Bonmatí was a deserving first-time winner after instrumental roles in Barcelona and Spain’s success. Her win is another marker of the women’s award gaining prestige with each passing year.

The ceremony also honored club legends like Pele and Mihajlovic while highlighting social conscience through awards for Mané and Lewandowski. After a glittering night in Paris, the football world now looks ahead eagerly to Messi pursuing an eighth Ballon d’Or at next year’s ceremony.