Ballon d’Or 2023: Lionel Messi set to face stiff challenge this time

Lionel Messi is overwhelmingly expected to secure his eighth Ballon d’Or when the award for the world’s best footballer is presented in 2023. The 36-year-old, who led Argentina to a World Cup victory in December, is considered a surefire choice to receive the Golden Ball once again.

The Ballon d’Or 2023 ceremony is scheduled for Monday, October 30, at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, with a shortlist of thirty players. Despite the inclusion of other nominees, Messi is widely anticipated to clinch the prestigious award.

Recent reports suggest that Messi is set to outpace Erling Haaland for the title, marking his eighth Ballon d’Or triumph. This achievement would be historic as it signifies the first time a player has received the accolade while actively playing outside of Europe.

The former Barcelona player will have overcome strong competition from Manchester City standout Erling Haaland, a key figure in Pep Guardiola’s treble-winning season with 52 goals in all competitions. Additionally, he faced his former PSG teammate Kylian Mbappe, who scored a hat-trick in the World Cup final Messi ultimately emerged victorious in.

I always prioritise trophies for team: Lionel Messi

In a recent statement regarding individual honours, Messi emphasized that he has consistently prioritized winning trophies for the teams he plays for over individual accolades. Messi also mentioned that he was fortunate to have accomplished everything in his career. The legendary striker also said that after the World Cup, he thinks about that award much less, considering his biggest award was that.

“I have said it many times, the Ballon d’Or is very important due to the recognition at the individual level, but I never gave it importance. The most important thing for me was always the awards at the group level. I was lucky to have achieved everything in my career and after the World Cup, I’m thinking about that award much less, my biggest award was that. If it [Ballon d’Or] arrives, good, and if not, nothing happens. I was lucky to achieve all my goals in my career and now I have new goals with this club,” Messi said to The Mirror