The former Barcelona star topped the voting ahead of Manchester City striker Erling Haaland and Messi’s former Paris Saint-Germain teammate, Kylian Mbappé.

“I never imagined having the career that I’ve had. I’ve had the luck, thank God, to have achieved all my goals, to have achieved everything in football which is very difficult,” said Messi after receiving his Ballon d’Or from Inter Miami co-owner and former England great David Beckham.

“I had the luck as Aitana said before to have been on the best team in the world, the best team in history which makes everything more easy to win more titles, which leads to individual prizes,” Messi said of his trophy-laden time with Barça, before touching on his struggles with Argentina – where the star has experienced plenty of ups and downs, including a brief consideration of retirement from the international game following the Albiceleste’s gutting loss to penalties in the 2016 Copa América final.

Messi completed his soccer trophy cabinet by winning the World Cup in Qatar in December 2022. – Odd Andersen/AFP/Getty Images

“I’ve had a lot of difficult moments, above all with the Argentina national team … where things didn’t go well for me. And I’ll say it again, I never dropped my arms, I kept on fighting to be able to achieve the Copa América [in 2021], to win the World Cup and I’m very proud to have not been stuck in simply trying and having been able to achieve it.”

Messi also made mention of a fellow Argentine great, Diego Maradona, who died in 2020 and is revered in Argentina as a soccer icon and hero.

“I want to do a final mention to Diego [Maradona]. Today is his birthday,” Messi said, “so I don’t think there’s a better place to wish him a happy birthday than surrounded by players, coaches, by people who love football like he did, so wherever you are, happy birthday, Diego. This [award] is also for you, I share it with you and with all of Argentina.”

Barça and Spain midfielder Aitana Bonmati receives the Woman Ballon d’Or award during the 2023 Ballon d’Or France Football award ceremony on October 30.

Bonmatí was an influential figure in Spain’s Women’s World Cup win two months ago, scoring three goals and registering two assists and winning the Golden Ball for the best player at Australia and New Zealand 2023. She also helped Barcelona Femení to a double last season, with the Blaugrana claiming the team’s eighth Liga F title and a second Women’s Champions League after defeating Wolfsburg in June.

“I’m very proud to receive the Ballon d’Or tonight. Even though it’s an individual prize, football is a collective, team sport, so I’d like to share the prize with my colleagues, staff, workers at Barça and the national team because what’s clear is that without the titles achieved this year. I wouldn’t be here,” Bonmatí said after accepting her award from 24-time tennis grand slam singles champion Novak Djokovic.

“I’m a little bit nervous, I haven’t slept a few days. To be here in the world’s biggest football gala is a dream for me and even though I’m a discreet person, as I said being here is special.

“I have the luck to play in a great club like FC Barcelona and the national team too. In both places, I have the best teammates next to me that make me better every day.”

Aitana Bonmatí has won the Ballon d’Or Féminin for the first time.

The midfielder is the second Spanish player to win the Ballon d’Or Féminin, which was introduced in 2018, after Barça teammate Alexia Putellas won the award back-to-back in 2021 and 2022.

Behind Bonmatí in the voting were Chelsea and Australia star striker Sam Kerr and Bonmatí’s La Roja and Barcelona teenage teammate, Salma Paralluelo.

The lists of nominees are compiled by France Football, after which a panel of journalists from around the world vote to determine the winners.