Ballon d’Or result has already been ‘leaked’ as Messi and Haaland battle
The winner of the Ballon d’Or appears to have been leaked once again before Monday night’s ceremony with Lionel Messi expected to be awarded the prize for a record eighth time. Messi has dominated the award ceremony throughout his career, winning his first Ballon d’Or back in 2009.
His seventh came in 2021, fending off Robert Lewandowski in what many saw as a controversial result. And France Football, who have presented the Ballon d’Or since 1956, may come in for more scrutiny this year with Messi set to win his eighth.
Reports emerged earlier this month that the 2023 Ballon d’Or will be won by Messi in a major leak of the awards ceremony. Erling Haaland was originally seen as the favourite for his sensational debut season at Manchester City.
The Norwegian striker helped City win the treble in his first season at the Etihad and broke numerous goalscoring records along the way. But Haaland will reportedly miss out to Messi after he led his country to World Cup glory in December 2022.
The World Cup was the only trophy missing from Messi’s illustrious career and the 36-year-old scored seven goals, with two in the final, to help Argentina win the coveted trophy. Messi also helped Paris Saint-Germain win Ligue 1 as he finished with 16 assists as well as 16 goals.
He then made the move to the MLS to join Inter Miami and helped David Beckham’s club win the Leagues Cup, scoring 10 goals in the competition. Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola was asked about this year’s Ballon d’Or recently with both Messi and Haaland seen as the two favourites.
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Guardiola managed Messi between 2008 and 2012 at Barcelona and witnessed firsthand Haaland’s excellent 2022-23 campaign with City. But the Spaniard refused to be drawn on picking between the two, insisting there should be two awards.
“Always I said the Ballon d’Or should be in two sections; one for Messi, then after another one so Haaland should win, yes,” Guardiola said. “We won the treble, he scored a million goals.
“The worst season for Messi is the best for the rest of the players. Both deserve it. Realistically I want Haaland to have it cause he helped us achieve what we achieved, I would love it. But Messi won the World Cup.”
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