Just a few days before the Ballon d’Or is awarded, the Catalan newspaper Sport confirms what has been circulating recently. Lionel Messi is expected to win his eighth Ballon d’Or.
It’s a done deal, we know the winner of the Ballon d’Or 2023! On October 30th, France Football will present the Ballon d’Or 2023 at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. Even though there are still nearly two weeks until the 67th edition of the Ballon d’Or, the Catalan tabloid Sport reveals the different winners of the award.
Indeed, the newspaper confirms what has been circulating for the past few days, which is Lionel Messi’s eighth triumph. La Pulga was the choice of the voters after leading Argentina to the top of the world in Qatar at the end of 2022. As captain and the second top scorer behind Kylian Mbappé, Messi, who finished as the MVP, behaved like a true leader and a man of influence in the Albiceleste selection.
Even though he had a relatively quiet second half of the season, resulting in an early elimination from the Champions League with PSG, Messi made a lasting impression at the World Cup. This is likely why he is set to win his 8th Ballon d’Or, a legendary record.
With this potential win, Messi will further widen the gap between him and Cristiano Ronaldo in terms of Ballon d’Or titles. The Portuguese forward has only won the award five times in 2008, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017. Already a World Cup champion, La Pulga is expected to lift his 8th Ballon d’Or, three more than his eternal rival from Portugal.
For many, the debate has ceased to exist ever since Messi brought another World Cup to his country. An eighth Ballon d’Or would be a confirmation of the Argentine wizard’s supremacy over the star from Al Nassr. However, Ronaldo shows no signs of slowing down and continues to break records. Just yesterday, he scored a brace against Bosnia, bringing his tally to 40 goals during this calendar year of 2023.
In any case, the Catalan newspaper Sport confirms Messi’s victory and goes even further. The media outlet also announces the triumph of Aitana Bonmati in the women’s category. She will succeed her teammate Alexia Putellas, the double Ballon d’Or winner.
The Ballon d’Or is always a highly anticipated event in the world of football. It is a prestigious award that recognizes the best player in the world, and Lionel Messi’s potential eighth victory only solidifies his status as one of the greatest players of all time. With his exceptional performances for both club and country, Messi has consistently proven his worth and continues to amaze fans around the world. Whether or not he wins the Ballon d’Or, there is no denying the impact he has had on the sport and his enduring legacy in the history of football.
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