Lionel Messi won his eighth Ballon d’Or on a night when Aitana Bonmatí was crowned as the best women’s footballer in the world.
The Argentine and Spaniard were key figures as their teams won the respective men’s and women’s World Cup titles – while Bonmatí won a treble with her club Barcelona.
She said afterwards: “We should be more than athletes. Keep leading by example and keep fighting together for a better, peaceful and equal world.”
Messi, meanwhile, was handed the award by David Beckham and it moves him further clear in the all-time rankings ahead of his on-pitch rival Cristiano Ronaldo.
“I couldn’t imagine having the career that I’ve had, everything that I’ve achieved,” he said.
“The fortune I’ve had playing for the best team in the world, the best team in history.”
England midfielder Jude Bellingham came 18th in the vote overall and won the Kopa trophy for the best under-21 player.
Who has won the most men’s Ballon d’Or titles?
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge: Two titles (1980, 1981)
The German World Cup winner was a powerful attacker for Bayern Munich and later Inter Milan in the 1980s.
Kevin Keegan: Two titles (1978, 1979)
England’s only multiple winner won both his Ballon D’Or titles while playing club football in Germany with Hamburger SV.
Alfredo Di Stéfano: Two titles (1957, 1959)
Real Madrid’s legendary striker was also a close second to Stanley Matthews in the first ever competition in 1956.
Ronaldo: Two titles (1997, 2002)
The Brazilian number nine was unstoppable at his best and completed an impressive career arc to win his second title six years after his first.
Franz Beckenbauer: Two titles (1972, 1976)
The West German defender has the distinction of becoming the first to win the World Cup both as a player and a manager.
Marco van Basten: Three titles (1988, 1989, 1992)
The Dutch striker could have won more titles but for a career that was cut short due to injuries. In 1988, he was one of three Milan-based Dutch players in the top positions for the Ballon D’Or.
Johan Cruyff: Three titles (1971, 1973, 1974)
The influential winger was a hero for Ajax and Barcelona at playing level before later managing both teams.
Michel Platini: Three titles (1983, 1984, 1985)
Platini was a legend for Juventus and France in the 1980s but retired at the height of his career in 1987.
Cristiano Ronaldo: Five titles (2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017)
The Portuguese forward is still playing in Saudi Arabia, having become the all-time highest scoring player of all time at international level.
Lionel Messi: Eight titles (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, 2023)
Messi won his eighth title in Paris on Monday having seen Karim Benzema pick up the trophy last year.
Who has won the most women’s Ballon d’Or titles?
The Ballon d'Or Féminin has only been awarded since 2018 and in 2020 the awards were not held, so the list of winners is a short one.
Alexia Putellas is the only player to have been awarded the title twice and, while she has not won, Sam Kerr has a record number of nominations with five.
Bonmatí’s win keeps the trophy with Spain and Barcelona.
2018 winner: Ada Hegerberg: Norway and Lyon
2019 winner: Megan Rapinoe: USA and OL Reign
2021 winner: Alexia Putellas: Spain and Barcelona
2022 winner: Alexia Putellas: Spain and Barcelona
2023 winner: Aitana Bonmati: Spain and Barcelona
