According to Sport, Lionel Messi has been named the 2023 Ballon d’Or winner.
According to a report from Sport, Messi has easily won the most coveted individual 2023 Ballon d’Or award in football since the ballots were tabulated.
It is Messi’s eighth Ballon d’Or triumph in his illustrious career.
The Ballon d’Or ceremony for 2023 will be held in Paris on October 30. The winner will then be declared in a formal manner.
Messi, who was named to the 30-man shortlist for the honor, is the clear favorite to take home the title.
Ballon d’Or shortlist
| Player | Club |
|---|---|
| Karim Benzema | Al-Ittihad |
| Josko Gvardiol | Man City |
| Jamal Musiala | Bayern |
| Andre Onana | Man Utd |
| Mohamed Salah | Liverpool |
| Randal Kolo Muani | PSG |
| Jude Bellingham | Real Madrid |
| Kevin de Bruyne | Man City |
| Bernardo Silva | Man City |
| Bukayo Saka | Arsenal |
| Khvicha Kvaratskhelia | Napoli |
| Nicolo Barella | Inter |
| Emiliano Martinez | Aston Villa |
| Ruben Dias | Man City |
| Erling Haaland | Man City |
| Yassine Bounou | Al-Hilal |
| Martin Odegaard | Arsenal |
| Julian Alvarez | Man City |
| Ilkay Gundogan | Barcelona |
| Vinicius Jr | Real Madrid |
| Lionel Messi | Inter Miami |
| Rodri | Man City |
| Lautaro Martinez | Inter |
| Antoine Griezmann | Atletico Madrid |
| Robert Lewandowski | Barcelona |
| Kim Min-jae | Bayern |
| Luka Modric | Real Madrid |
| Kylian Mbappe | PSG |
| Victor Osimhen | Napoli |
| Harry Kane | Bayern |
The current holder of the Ballon d’Or is Karim Benzema.
Messi World Cup heroics
Messi is set to win the Ballon d’Or off the back of his heroics for Argentina at the 2022 World Cup last November and December.
The 36-year-old enjoyed a legendary World Cup as he led the Albiceleste to their first triumph in 36 years.
The veteran was the player of the tournament, taking home the Golden Ball after scoring seven goals and providing three assists on the road to glory.
He scored in every knockout round and struck twice in the final as Argentina beat France 4-2 on penalties after a 3-3 draw.
Messi also enjoyed an excellent 2022-23 season with PSG, scoring 21 goals in 41 games.
He moved to Inter Miami this past summer in the MLS and has already scored 11 goals in 13 games.
