🏆 2023 Ballon d'Or ceremony as it happened! | OneFootball

Football stars worldwide travelled to Paris on Monday for the 2023 Ballon d’Or ceremony.

Here is everything as it happened, with all the award winners, photos and quotes for you to enjoy.

23:00: And that’s a wrap on the ceremony in Paris. Let us know how you feel about the outcome in the comments below!

22:53: Messi made sure to acknowledge the talents of Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe in his acceptance speech. Will either one of them eventually win the award?

22:51: At 36 years and 128 days old, Messi is the second-oldest Ballon d’Or winner in history (Sir Stanley Matthews in 1956 was 41).

22:48: More staggering statistics for you following Messi’s win.

He is the first Ballon d’Or victor to win the award while contracted to a non-European club, and his eight individual awards beat out all the leading countries (Portugal. France, Germany and the Netherlands at seven wins each).

22:45: Additionally, in a touching tribute to the late Diego Maradona, Messi said:

“Today I wanted to mention Diego. There’s no better place to wish him happy birthday here around many people loving football, as he wanted”.

“Wherever you are, Diego… happy bday. This goes also for you”.

22:41: Many football fans will want to know what Erling Haaland (second) and Kylian Mbappe (third) think.

22:37: Messi led Argentina to its first World Cup since 1986 in Qatar last year and claimed club honours with Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Miami.

He has won the award in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021 and now 2023.

22:35: The entire auditorium was on its feet when Messi moved to the stage. It was a touching moment for one of the best to ever play the game.

2023 BALLON D’OR REVEALED – It’s a record-extending eighth Ballon d’Or win for Argentina’s Lionel Messi!

22:30: In fourth place is Man City and Belgium midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, meaning the top three are Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi.

22:25: Here we go with the top five. David Beckham will have the honour of presenting this year’s winner with the trophy.

Novak Djokovic awarded Bonmati with the Ballon d’Or Féminin, but we’re not sure why.

22:21: A montage of all the players in the top 30 is being shown to viewers now as we are moments away from finding our men’s winner.

22:17: Bonmati’s first reaction to the win: “I’m very proud to win the Ballon d’Or. Football is a collective sport so I’d like to extend this prize to my team-mates and staff.

“As role models, we have a responsibility on and off the pitch… Keep fighting together for a better, peaceful, and equal world.”

22:13: Chelsea and Australia superstar Sam Kerr finished second in the rankings for Ballon d’Or Féminin, while the up-and-coming Salma Paralluelo (Barcelona and Spain) finished third.

22:10: A fitting highlight reel touches on Bonmati’s rise to the top of women’s football. In addition to being a vital figure for Barcelona, she was key to Spain’s latest Women’s World Cup triumph.

2023 BALLON D’OR FEMININ REVEALED – Our first major trophy of the night has been handed out as Aitana Bonmati was named the best female player.

It is a third consecutive award for Barcelona, following Alexia Putellas picking up the last two Ballons d’Or Feminin.

22:05: We will also have the 2023 Ballon d’Or Féminin revealed in a moment. Stay tuned.

22:02: More names have been revealed as we close in on tonight’s big winner: Julian Alvarez (7th), Vinicius Junior (6th) and Rodri (5th). It’s almost time!

22:00: Notably, Man City were also the men’s club with the most Ballon d’Or nominees and Barcelona led the way for the women.

21:54: It is back-to-back trophies in this category for the Premier League club, largely thanks to Pep Guardiola’s ability to pull off a historic treble.

MEN’S CLUB OF THE YEAR REVEALED – Man City became the second club of the night to pick up two awards with another Men’s Club of Year title to their name.

21:48: Another record for the Norway international too. Haaland is the first player to win the European Golden Shoe, Champions League Golden Boot and Gerd Müller Trophy in the same season.

21:44: Haaland’s father, Alfie, is all smiles here in Paris.

Erling scored a staggering 56 goals and continues to prove he’s one of the best in the business. The question is, will he ever win a Ballon d’Or?

GERD MÜLLER AWARD REVEALED – The winner for the striker of the year is Man City’s Erling Haaland. But we’re sure you figured that already.

21:38: In second place for the Yashin trophy was Man City’s Ederson after winning the treble, followed by Yassine Bounou after a key showing for Morocco in Qatar.

21:35: We heard some fairly loud boos when Martinez was handed his award, though. His heroics in the World Cup beat France and tonight’s ceremony is in Paris.

YASHIN TROPHY REVEALED – The winner for goalkeeper of the year is Emiliano Martinez, who had a stellar showing to help Argentina win the World Cup and routinely comes up big for Aston Villa.

21:28: In case you missed it, here is what Vinicius Junior had to say on winning the 2023 Socrates Award:

“It is important to be together and fight racism. I would like to thank all the great players here who help us to fight.”

21:26: Some history was also made there, as it was the first time the female version of the award was handed out.

WOMEN’S CLUB OF THE YEAR REVEALED – After yet another year of dominating across all competitions, FC Barcelona were awarded Women’s Club of the Year.

A stellar comeback to win the UEFA Women’s Champions League from 2-0 down against Wolfsburg was a testament to the club’s character.

21: 15: We’re also inching closer to the winner of the 2023 Ballon d’Or Féminin.

England’s Rachel Daly finished in 10th, Colombia’s Linda Caicedo in ninth, and Spain’s Patricia Guijarro in eighth.

21:11: The time has arrived to pay tribute to the talent we lost over the past year, including legends Pele and Sir Bobby Charlton.

SOCRATES AWARD REVEALED – Another Real Madrid star has picked up an award tonight, with Vinicius Junior winning the Socrates Award for his fight against racism and work in Brazil helping underprivileged children.

21:05: We’re inching closer to the big prize of the night, with the top 10 now being revealed.

Luka Modric (10th), Bernardo Silva (ninth) and Victor Osimhen (eighth) are the next names out of the hat.

21:03: Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala finished second for the 2023 Kopa Trophy, while Barcelona star Pedri was in third.

21:00: “I want to thank everyone who supported me in my journey From Birmingham, to Dortmund, now to Real Madrid,” said 20-year-old Bellingham on his award. “There is more to come.”

KOPA TROPHY REVEALED – Eden Hazard was given the honour of presenting the Kopa Trophy to the 2023 winner, Jude Bellingham.

20:54: A nice highlight reel has been put together for the top 10 players in the rankings. In no particular order, these are:

Julián Álvarez, Lionel Messi, Kevin De Bruyne, Vinícius Júnior, Luka Modrić, Kylian Mbappé, Victor Osimhen, Erling Haaland, Bernardo Silva and Rodri.

20:49: Our hosts Drogba and Héribert have taken to the stage now, and some of the biggest names in the game are being called onto the stage one by one. They were all thanked for being great ambassadors for the game.

20:43: We’re mere minutes away from the ceremony. Only one player will come out on top.

20:31: Here is your first look at the 2023 Ballon d’Or…

20:25: Messi was absent from last year’s top 30 list but is now heavily tipped to win yet another Ballon d’Or at the age 36.

20:22: Tennis superstar Novak Djokovic and David Beckham are here, as well as big names Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé.

20:17: Here’s your 30-minute warning! Buckle up.

20:11: Bellingham discusses his shining moment in El Clásico…

“I watched El Clásico as a little kid. It was a really emotional game for me. It means a lot to play for the biggest club in the world and to wear that shirt, honestly, I still get goosebumps right now.”

20:04: Norway’s Ada Hegerberg and the USA’s Megan Rapinoe are the other players to have won the female award following its creation in 2018. In comparison, tonight’s ceremony is the 67th in history for male footballers.

20:00: The reigning 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup winners are also here, most of whom play for Barcelona. Here’s Joan Laporta and midfielder Aitana Bonmati.

Two-time Ballon d’Or Féminin winner Alexia Putellas, however, is yet to be pictured.

19:55: We’ve got Gary Lineker acting as a fortune teller now. “Who wins the Ballon d’Or in five years time? Probably Jude Bellingham!” Under an hour to go.

19:53: A reminder of the top 10 players still waiting for their final placements (named in no particular order).

Julián Álvarez, Lionel Messi, Kevin De Bruyne, Vinícius Júnior, Luka Modrić, Kylian Mbappé, Victor Osimhen, Erling Haaland, Bernardo Silva and Rodri.

19:51: Our hosts have arrived as well. Didier Drogba and Sandy Héribert will present tonight’s ceremony.

19:45: Man City’s big-name players are slowly arriving now. Dias (30th), Ederson, Julian Alvarez, Rodri, Haaland and Bernardo Silva are the latest on the red carpet.

The Norwegian striker insists he’s had no trouble sleeping.

19:39: A recently retired Eden Hazard is the next star pictured. What a glorious career he had, cut too soon.

Here he is on retirement: “Life is perfect since I retired. I enjoy life, enjoy my family, enjoy my kids. At the moment I don’t miss playing football, but let’s see in a few months!”

19:33: Some big names are appearing on the red carpet at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris.

Here’s Emi Martinez with his wife Amanda ‘Mandinha’ Martinez, while Kvaratskhelia, Alba Redondo (Levante/Spain) and Amanda Ilestedt (Arsenal/Sweden) have also been spotted.

19:20: As the famous El Chiringuito TV saying goes. Tick tock…

19:11: Two leading names in the game missed the top 10! Which is fairly surprising, to say the least.

Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski finished in 12th, with Liverpool legend Mohamed Salah next in 11th.

19:05: The official Ballon d’Or X account has shared that the red carpet is now open! Just under two hours until the ceremony begins.

18:59: We’re creeping towards the top 10 – so let’s look at how the two leading contenders compare…

Erling Haaland: 56 goals and nine assists. Titles won: Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup.

Lionel Messi: 42 goals and 26 assists. Titles won: World Cup, Ligue 1 and Trophée des Champions.

18:53: A reminder the Club of the Year will also be revealed tonight, alongside the Gerd Müller Trophy winner and Socrates Award winner.

18:47: A quick-fire double here with Ilkay Gundogan (14th) and Yassine Bounou (13th) the next names revealed.

18:45: Next up is Argentina’s World Cup hero, Emiliano Martínez. Where were you when the Aston Villa goalkeeper made that save against Kolo Muani in the final?

18:43: We’re cracking into the top 15 now.

18:41: Last year’s winner drops 15 places as former Real Madrid star Karim Benzema is 16th. He was the fifth French player to win the Ballon d’Or and now plays for Al-Ittihad.

18:35: We’re back with another name as reigning Serie A MVP Khvicha Kvaratskhelia comes in at 17th.

18:30: This award always brings out heated debates. But here’s why Messi might deserve another win despite not being the best anymore.

Erling Haaland is the player reportedly challenging the World Cup winner for the award following his stellar showing with treble winners Man City.

18:23: The 20-year-old former Borussia Dortmund star is a favourite for the Kopa Trophy later this evening.

18:20: Another Englishman is next, with Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham ranked 18th. That El Clásico brace over the weekend will forever be one to remember!

18:18: England striker Harry Kane comes in at 19th. Sorry Spurs fans, but how great has his start to life at Bayern been?

18:15: We’re into the top 20 now! Inter’s Lautaro Martinez is the latest name revealed.

18:13: Next up is Atlético de Madrid star Antoine Griezmann, who has also been a paramount player for France over the years. Is 21st a justified ranking for him?

18:10: The heavy favourite for the Ballon d’Or Féminin Aitana Bonmati is officially in Paris. Will she claim her first win in a few hours?

18:04: We’ve had a few defenders listed already, but the Ballon d’Or hasn’t been awarded to a player in that position since Fabio Cannavaro in 2006.

18:00: Bayern Munich’s Kim Min-jae is the next name revealed in 22nd place.

17:57: Manchester United have arrived, with goalkeeper Andre Onana coming in at 23rd.

The former Inter ace was vital in the 2023 Champions League final and recently made headlines with a late penalty save for United against FC Copenhagen.

17:54: Next out of the gate are two Premier League stars.

Man City’s Joško Gvardiol is 25th after a brilliant showing in Qatar for Croatia. Meanwhile, Arsenal star-boy Bukayo Saka is 24th.

17:50: Some more stats for you. No English player has won the Ballon d’Or since Michael Owen in 2001. And the Premier League hasn’t had a winner since 2008 (Cristiano Ronaldo).

17:43: How do we feel about the initial five names?

17:34: Another name to watch for the future sits 26th in Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala. He’s developed a great relationship on the pitch with Harry Kane lately!

17:31: Inter’s midfield magician Nicolò Barella is next at 27th.

17:28: Now tied in 28th place are Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard and France starlet Randal Kolo Muani who could have changed the script at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Two names we’re sure will move up in the rankings in the future.

17:24: After a slight delay, the first name is out with Manchester City and Portugal defender Rúben Dias in 30th.

17:13: Here we go. Drum roll, please…

17:08: Just under 10 minutes until the first placings are revealed, with the official ceremony beginning at 8:45 PM CEST.

Let us know in the comments who you want to win this year.

17:00: If you need a refresher, here are the stats behind some of the candidates for tonight’s men’s award.

16:56: A few big names are absent from tonight’s ceremony, with Euro 2022 winners England opting not to make the trip ahead of tomorrow’s clash with Belgium.

“It would be nice in future if it wasn’t on a matchday-1 so we can enjoy the experience,” said Georgia Stanway on the decision.

16:48: Now, how exactly is the Ballon d’Or decided? Find out here!

16:39: Diving into some history, four countries are currently tied for most Ballon d’Or wins at seven each (Portugal, Netherlands, Germany and France).

16:30: We’re about to kick things off in a little under an hour. All eyes are on Lionel Messi to see if he will claim a record-extending eighth win.

Karim Benzema and Alexia Putellas are the reigning winners.