Ballon d'Or 2023

That's all from the 2023 Ballon d'Or ceremony, folks! Thanks for joining in. This is Sachin, signing off! Until next time... :)

Messi further said:

"I couldn't imagine having the career that I've had. Everything that I've achieved. The fortune I've had playing for the best team in the world, the best team in history. It's nice to win these individual trophies. To win the Copa America and then the World Cup, to get it done is amazing."

In his speech, Messi paid tribute to the late Diego Maradona:

“Wherever you are, this is also for you. Happy birthday, Diego.”

Here's how the players stack up in the final rankings:

4. Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City/Belgium)
3. Erling Haaland (Manchester City/Norway)
2. Kylian Mbappe (PSG/France)
1. LIONEL MESSI (ARGENTINA/INTER MIAMI)

A record-extending EIGHTH Ballon d' Or for the Argentine legend...EIGHTH!

https://twitter.com/ballondor/status/1719104753093755246

LIONEL MESSI WINS THE 2023 BALLON D' OR!

England and Manchester United legend David Beckham is on stage to hand out the award...just a matter of time now!

And now, it's time to reveal the winner of the 2023 Men's Ballon d'Or...Messi, De Bruyne, Mbappe or Haaland, who's it going to be?

Just for the record: Five-time Ballon d'Or-winner Cristiano Ronaldo has been ranked.......829th for the 2023 Ballon d'Or!

The forward received a grand total of ZERO votes this year.

How the mighty have fallen...

Aitana Bonmati won the Women's World Cup with Spain, as well as the La Liga and Champions League titles with Barcelona this year! Now, she's been crowned with the ultimate individual prize in women's football. The icing on the cake!

Aitana, it's your moment! #ballondor pic.twitter.com/S1ZsL02hm7
— Ballon d'Or #ballondor (@ballondor) October 30, 2023

Here is the full 2023 Women's Ballon d'Or ranking ⬇️#ballondor pic.twitter.com/VhsQaj91ib
— Ballon d'Or #ballondor (@ballondor) October 30, 2023

Barcelona star Aitana Bonmati has won the 2023 Women's Ballon d'Or!

Ballon d'Or rankings, 5-7 revealed:

7. Julian Alvarez (Manchester City/Argentina)
6. Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid/Brazil)
5. Rodri (Manchester City/Spain)

Unsurprisingly, Manchester City were awarded the men's best team of the season for their treble glory last season.

The Sky Blues romped to the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League swoop, becoming just the second English team to achieve the feat, after Manchester United pulled it off back in 1999.

Erling Haaland from @ManCity is the Gerd Müller Award winner! 🤖⚽️🎯#trophéeGerdMuller #ballondor pic.twitter.com/Jqi7DI6QeP
— Ballon d'Or #ballondor (@ballondor) October 30, 2023

Haaland was on fire last season, his first with Manchester City since a big-money transfer from Borussia Dortmund.

With 52 goals scored from 53 games, the Norwegian played a leading role in his side's treble glory of Premier League, FA Cup and the Champions League.

In addition, he scored a few more for his national team, overall making him the leading scorer of last season.

Haaland narrowly pipped Kylian Mbappe, who scored 55 goals in all competitions for PSG and France.

Erling Haaland wins the Gerd Muller trophy for the best striker of the year! Was there any doubt?

EMILIANO MARTINEZ IS THE 2023 YACHINE TROPHY WINNER! 🇦🇷#TrophéeYachine #ballondor pic.twitter.com/j9RlTpDENe
— Ballon d'Or #ballondor (@ballondor) October 30, 2023

Emiliano Martinez wins the Lev Yashin trophy!

(Besides the trophy, he was also greeted with boos from the French audience)

2023 Men's Ballon d'Or ranking:

8️⃣ Victor Osimhen
9️⃣ Bernardo Silva
🔟 Luka Modric#ballondor pic.twitter.com/bLiNa7XtrT
— Ballon d'Or #ballondor (@ballondor) October 30, 2023

Ballon d'Or ranks, 8th to 10th announced...

10. Luka Modric (Real Madrid/Croatia)
9. Bernardo Silva (Manchester City/Portugal)
8. Victor Osimhen (Napoli/Nigeria)

A tribute video for the late Manchester United legend, Bobby Charlton, who tragically passed away on 21 October 2023

Vinicius Junior....

https://twitter.com/skworldfootball/status/1719083374558535821

Bellingham struck 14 goals and made seven assists in 42 games for Borussia Dortmund last season!

Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham wins the 2023 Kopa Trophy! Well deserved...

Eden Hazard is here with us to give the 2023 Kopa Trophy 👀 #ballondor pic.twitter.com/bUDgfQAzUc
— Ballon d'Or #ballondor (@ballondor) October 30, 2023

All the top 10 nominees for men and women were brought on stage!

And we're underway at the Theatre du Chatelet!

Lionel Messi is in the house with his family!

https://twitter.com/ballondor/status/1719072049774121236

Erling Haaland is among the top favorites for the prize after his treble glory with Manchester City last season, and here he is talking of what a "great night" it's going to be at the Ballon d'Or gala!

https://twitter.com/ballondor/status/1719063629268419022?

Tennis superstar Novak Djokovic, who has won the most Grand Slam titles with 24, and the current world No.1, is in the house!

https://twitter.com/ballondor/status/1719070292922810509

Real Madrid young guns Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham have arrived!

https://twitter.com/ballondor/status/1719068007844974834

Erling Haaland makes his way to the ceremony!

https://twitter.com/ballondor/status/1719066516547649867

This will raise some eyebrows, as Mohamed Salah, who finished titleless with Liverpool last season, and even missed the 2022 FIFA World Cup with Egypt, has been ranked higher than the World Cup's Golden Glove winner, Emiliano Martinez, who lifted the ultimate prize with Argentina in Doha last December.

Ballon d'Or rankings from 11 to 15 have been announced:

11: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool & Egypt)
12: Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona & Poland)
13: Yassine Bounou (Sevilla, Al Hilal & Morocco)
14: Ilkay Gundogan (Man City, Barcelona & Germany)
15: Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa & Argentina)

A commandeering presence in Manchester City's midfield, Ilkay Gundogan, who played a vital role in his side's historic treble victory last year, couldn't make the top 10 of the Ballon d'Or rankings!

https://twitter.com/ballondor/status/1719048044581097780?

Last year's winner Karim Benzema has only managed to finish 16th this year! Meanwhile, Harry Kane, who enjoyed a prolific campaign with an otherwise stuttering Tottenham Hotspur, netting 30 times, has come in at 19th!

France Football Magazine have already announced the rankings. Here are players ranked from 11 to 16:

https://twitter.com/ballondor/status/1719045751874232461?

This is Sachin Bhat, covering all the developments at the gala and bringing you updates on-the-go!

Hello and welcome to the live coverage of the 2023 Ballon d'Or ceremony!