Diario SPORT reports that Lionel Messi has emerged victorious during the 2023 Ballon d’Or competition, This means he has defeated competitors in the form of Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland.
The Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, France will host the 67th annual Ballon d’Or ceremony on October 30. The 2022–2023 season’s outcomes, as opposed to the calendar year, will determine the winner for the second time throughout the award’s history.
In the first week of September, 30 candidates were revealed for the title of world’s greatest football player. Superstars Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne, as well as Kylian Mbappe were all on the shortlist. However, the bookmaker is picking Messi to win.
The Argentine star had an incredible 2022–23 campaign and helped his country win the FIFA World Cup in 2022. He won his second Golden Ball of his illustrious career with seven goals, featuring a brace in the championship match against France.
Additionally, Lionel Messi had an excellent campaign for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), helping the French team win the Ligue 1 championship with 21 goals and 20 assists in 41 games across all competitions.
Messi would be worthy if he were to win another Ballon d’Or, which would make it the most in football history, even if Haaland and Mbappe both had incredible seasons.
“I think it’s a disgrace”: Jason Cundy
Former Chelsea player Jason Cundy is adamant that Manchester City player Erling Haaland should be winning the Ballon d’Or this year, saying it would be a shame if Lionel Messi were to win it for the eighth time.
Erling Haaland, who joined Manchester City from Borussia Dortmund this summer, had an incredible 2022–23 campaign. In 53 games, he recorded 52 goals and nine assists, winning the FA Cup, the Premier League, and the UEFA Champions League.
Cundy spoke on TalkSport as he said, “I think if Haaland doesn’t win it[Ballon d’Or], it’s a disgrace. I think it’s a disgrace, Messi will win it because he won the World Cup.”
