Ballon d’Or 2023 LIVE: Messi aiming for record eighth trophy as full rankings revealed

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The 2023 Ballon d’Or will be handed out on Monday night by publication France Football, with Lionel Messi chasing an unprecedented eighth success in the award’s history.

The Inter Miami star is among the hot favourites to claim the gong after leading Argentina to 2022 World Cup glory in Qatar, but he isn’t the only player eyeing success at the ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris.

While there is no competition from Messi’s long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo – the Portugal international has been left off the shortlist for the first time since 2003 – Erling Haaland’s ridiculous strike rate in front of goal with Manchester City means the Norwegian will have plenty of supporters in the voting.

The golden ball isn’t the only award being handed out either. As well as the equivalent prize in the women’s game, the Kopa Trophy, Yashin Trophy, Socrates Award, Gerd Muller Trophy and Club of the Year will all be handed to game-leading figures in the modern game.

20:30 – Emiliano Martinez wins Yashin Trophy

Emiliano Martinez, who divided fans with his abrasive style of play during the 2022 World Cup, has picked up the 2023 Yashin Trophy.

Gamesmanship aside, Martinez enjoyed a wonderful campaign with Argentina and is one of the best goalies in the Premier League.

20:17 – Barcelona win Women’s Club of the Year

Barcelona, winners of Liga F and the Women’s Champions League last season, are somewhat unsurprisingly named the Women’s Club of the Year. They also have six players on the Ballon d’Or Feminin shortlist.

20:05 – Vinicius Jr wins Socrates award

Vinicius Junior is the recipient of the 2023 Socrates award in recognition of his foundation’s work with underprivileged children in Brazil.

The Real Madrid winger accepts his award and also speaks out, prompted by Drogba, on the torrent of racist abuse he’s received over the past year. The message is simply for authorities to help eradicate racism in stadiums cross the world.

8th – Victor Osimhen (Napoli/Nigeria)

Osimhen was front and centre of Napoli’s Serie A title-winning side, partnering Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to devastating effect. It’s hardly surprising that the Nigerian’s 26-goal haul has made him one of world football’s most in-demand strikers.

9th – Bernardo Silva (Manchester City/Portugal)

An integral part of Manchester City’s treble-winning side, Bernardo Silva is rewarded for his efforts with a ninth-place finish in the Ballon d’Or standings. One of the world’s great playmakers and a real favourite of Pep Guardiola.

10th – Luka Modric (Real Madrid/Croatia)

The veteran midfielder, widely regarded as one of the greatest of all-time, may be slowing down a little this season, but he was at his evergreen best for Real Madrid for much of 2022/23.

20:00 – Bellingham wins 2023 Kopa Trophy

It will come as absolutely no surprise to anyone that Jude Bellingham has been named the 2023 Kopa Trophy winner – presented the best player in the world under the age of 21.

Bellingham saw off competition from Jamal Musiala, who finished as runner-up, Eduardo Camavinga, and Barcelona duo Pedri and Gavi, winners in 2021 and 2022, to win the award.

19:50 – The stars of 2023 assemble

The nominees for various awards have taken to the stage in Paris.

The nominees for various awards on stage at the 2023 Ballon d'OrThe nominees for various awards on stage at the 2023 Ballon d'Or

The nominees for various awards on stage / FRANCK FIFE/GettyImages

19:45 – We’re underway!

The Ballon d’Or 2023 ceremony is finally underway as hosts Didier Drogba and Sandy Heribert take to the Theatre du Chatelet stage.

19:25 – Hometown hero Kylian Mbappe rocks up

Kylian Mbappe’s result in the Ballon d’Or rankings is yet to be announced. The France star will hope for a high finish but he may have to wait another year to get his hands on the iconic trophy.

19:21 – Lionel Messi is here

Now the crowd is really getting involved in Paris. Lionel Messi didn’t always enjoy his time in the French capital with PSG but his arrival has been greeted with large cheers.

His triumph with Argentina at the 2022 World Cup makes the Inter Miami star the hot favourite for the men’s award.

19:18 – David Beckham AKA ‚Golden Balls‘ arrives

The ceremony itself is expected to start at 19:30 GMT. David Beckham is obviously one of the cool stragglers just making his way along the red carpet.

Does he look smart? It’s David Beckham, of course he does.

19:05 – Bellingham and Vini Junior in the building

We’ve got a few contenders for suit of the night with the arrival of Real Madrid’s party.

Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior are looking clean, sharp, mustard, drippy – whatever you want to call them. Impeccably dressed, the pair of them.

They’re joined by Linda Caicedo, Olga Carmona and Hayley Raso.

18:57 – Several women’s stars absent

The scheduling of this ceremony has attracted criticism, with a number of icons in the women’s game unable to attend due to international commitments.

Hard to imagine the awards evening being scheduled during a men’s international window, isn’t it? Aitana Bonmati, widely expected to win the Ballon d’Or Feminin, has arrived with the rest of Barcelona’s delegation.

18:52 – Hosts arrive arm in arm

Our esteemed hosts for the evening, Didier Drogba and Sandy Heribert, are in Paris, while former Barcelona and England striker and Match of the Day host Gary Lineker has just tipped Jude Bellingham to win the Ballon d’Or in five years‘ time.

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin offers a few words and then saunters off. He’s all business.

18:45 – Man City stars including Erling Haaland arrive

Seven current Man City players are up for the award and their delegation has just rocked up, including Erling Haaland, Bernardo Silva and Rodri. Can any of the treble winners stop Messi from getting his hands on the golden ball again?

18:35 – Ballon d’Or rankings so far

While we watch the recently retired Eden Hazard pose for photos, let’s take another recap on the current Ballon d’Or rankings.

18:27 – Stars arrive for Ballon d’Or ceremony

We’re getting into real royalty now, in both the literal and footballing sense.

H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco is in attendance, while 17th-placed Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has also arrived on the red carpet. Emiliano Martinez has also been spotted.

Stars of the women’s game Alba Redondo and Amanda Ilestedt and 1994 Ballon d’Or winner Hristo Stoichkov have just arrived.

18:00 – TV coverage begins

TNT Sports‚ coverage of the 2023 Ballon d’Or ceremony has just started. France rugby star Matthieu Jalibert is quickly through the red carpet section with minimum fuss. The influencer man – Mr Fast Dude, I think is his official name – has also arrived.

11th – Mohamed Salah (Liverpool/Egypt)

Liverpool star Salah can’t quite squeeze into the top ten, with his efforts in 2022/23 being recognised with 11th.

12th – Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona/Poland)

Lewandowski’s goals were crucial in Barcelona’s La Liga title win but few were pining for the Pole to take the award like they were a few years ago during his hot-streak at Bayern Munich.

13th – Yassine Bounou (Al Hilal/Morocco)

Europa League and World Cup semi-finalist Bounou, now of Al Hilal, wins 13th after some wonderful displays of shot-stopping throughout 2022/23.

14th – Ilkay Gundogan (Barcelona/Germany)

Gundogan was a heroic figure during Man City’s treble triumph in 2022/23, his box-to-box exploits being rewarded with a 14th place finish.

15th – Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa/Argentina)

A now revered master of the dark arts thanks to his antics in Qatar, World Cup winner Martinez takes 15th position.

16th – Karim Benzema (Al Ittihad/France)

2022 winner Benzema has dropped 15 places to 16th, but it was always going to be hard to replicate such an incredible season. He’s now one of the many ageing stars in the Saudi Pro League.

17th – Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Napoli/Georgia)

Back to the rankings and it’s breakout Georgian star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia who takes 17th. He played a key role in Napoli’s scudetto triumph.

17:30 – Men’s Ballon dOr rankings so far

This is breathless stuff. 13 players have now discovered their placings. Let’s recap, just in case you didn’t have Twitter – or X these days – notifications turned on.

18th – Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid/England)

Finishing one ahead of Kane is Bellingham, who so nearly inspired Borussia Dortmund to the Bundesliga title last season.

19th – Harry Kane (Bayern Munich/England)

Scoring 30 goals in the Premier League is only good enough for 19th place for England captain Kane, who has since started in electric form for Bayern Munich.

20th – Lautaro Martinez (Inter/Argentina)

Inter and Argentina bulldozer Martinez comes in at 20th, with his national teammates all set for higher finishes.

21st – Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid/France)

Griezmann reminded the world of his talents during France’s run to the 2022 World Cup final and posted his best goalscoring return in La Liga since 2018/19.

22nd – Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich/South Korea)

Kim was a defensive juggernaut during Napoli’s Serie A triumph last season and has started superbly at B since his summer.

23rd – Andre Onana (Manchester United/Cameroon)

Onana is yet to show much Ballon d’Or form at new club Manchester United but his role in Inter’s two cup triumphs last season can’t be overlooked.

24th – Bukayo Saka (Arsenal/England)

Saka is another who will have better finishes in the future, especially if Arsenal and England can scoop major silverware. It’s a finish of 24th this year.

25th – Josko Gvardiol (Manchester City/Croatia)

Gvardiol became one of the most expensive defenders ever when he left RB Leipzig for Man City. He comes in at 25th.

26th – Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich/Germany)

Germany starlet Musiala, won won Bayern Munich the Bundesliga title on the last day of the 2022/23 season, will have better finishes in the future but comes 26th this year.

27th – Nicolo Barella (Inter/Italy)

With nine goals and ten assists as well as a run to the Champions League final, Barella finishes 27th in the standings.

Joint 28th – Randal Kolo Muani (Paris Saint-Germain/France) and Martin Odegaard (Arsenal/Norway)

There’s nothing to separate Kolo Muani and Odegaard, who share 28th place.

30th – Ruben Dias (Manchester City/Portugal)

Dias, who won the treble with Man City, comes in at 30th. Any dreams of individual glory have been firmly shattered.

17:00 – Welcome to our live blog!

Karim BenzemaKarim Benzema

Benzema is unlikely to defend his 2022 win / Aurelien Meunier/GettyImages

Welcome one and all to 90min’s live blog covering the award winners at the 2023 Ballon d’Or ceremony. It’s sure to be an evening filled with unnecessarily long monologues, dozens of video compilations and rogue fashion choices.

But it’s all worth it to find out the winner of the most prestigious individual award in men’s and women’s football.

How does the Ballon d’Or voting format work?

The Ballon d’Or victor is decided by 100 journalists from FIFA’s 100 top-ranked member nations. Each journalist makes their top five picks from the 30-man shortlist, with each ranking earning a different points value/number of votes.

As you’d expect, the player who picks up the most points in voting is named that year’s Ballon d’Or victor.

READ MORE ON THE 2023 BALLON D’OR NOMINATIONS AND PREDICTED RANKINGS