Lionel Messi has reportedly won his 8th Ballon d’Or and the official announcement will be made in France on the award ceremony night.
The Ballon d’Or presentation will be held in France on Monday, October 30th, and all signs point to the World Cup 2022 winning captain receiving it.
The Argentine captain and football star is expected to win the Ballon d’Or in 2023. The Ballon d’Or presentation will be held in France on Monday, October 30th, and all signs point to the World Cup 2022 winning captain receiving it. If the reports are correct, Messi will win the coveted trophy for the eighth time in his spectacular career.
The 36-year-old is running alongside Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, who had a fantastic workout with Pep Guardiola’s team. Not only that, but Barcelona’s Ilkay Gundogan and Robert Lewandowski are also among the finalists. However, according to the ever-reliable Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Messi is the favorite of all.
According to various signs, Messi will be granted the title for the record eighth time, according to Romano on Instagram. He wrote, “𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆: Leo Messi, expected to win the 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐧 𝐝’𝐎𝐫 2023 — indications confirmed. It will be the historical 𝟖𝐭𝐡 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐧 𝐝’𝐎𝐫 for Messi. Official decision to be announced on Monday night in Paris at Théâtre du Châtelet for Ballon d’Or Gala.”
Apart from winning the World Cup for Argentina in 2022, Messi has also won the French Super Cup and Ligue 1 with Paris Saint-Germain (Ligue 1). Last season, the footballer finished with a total of 21 goals and 20 assists in 41 appearances for the team.
Ronaldo Nazario Chooses 2023 Ballon d’Or Winner
Brazil icon Ronaldo Nazario has chosen between Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland in the race for the 2023 Ballon d’Or.
Messi is likely the favorite for this year’s award, but it is keenly disputed by players such as Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe. With the award winner going to be announced on October 30, Ronaldo Nazario revealed his pick, praising Messi as the rightful winner.
Nazario praised Messi for his performance at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, saying his achievements warranted the Ballon d’Or (via TNT Sports):
“The Ballon d’Or should go to him [Lionel Messi], without a doubt. What Messi did in the World Cup was special. It reminded me of the campaigns of Pelé and Maradona.”
When Lionel Messi’s year is considered in context, he makes a solid case for the award. He not only won the World Cup, but he also won the French Super Cup and Ligue 1 with Paris Saint-Germain. He concluded the season with 21 goals and 20 assists in 41 outings for the French giants across all competitions.
The Argentine legend, however, will face competition. Last season, Erling Haaland guided Manchester City to a record triple with 52 goals in 53 games in all competitions.
