Lionel Messi is tipped to win a record eighth Ballon d’Or in October, after a year in which he led Argentina to World Cup glory and won the Ligue 1 title with Paris Saint-Germain.
The 2023 Ballon d’Or race was unique, with the World Cup taking place in the middle of the season. This meant that players’ performances at the World Cup could have a major impact on their chances of winning the award.
Messi was one of the stars of the World Cup, scoring seven goals and providing three assists as Argentina won their third title. He was also named the player of the tournament.
Messi’s performances at the World Cup were a major boost to his Ballon d’Or chances. He is also the defending champion, having won the award in 2022.
Other players who are in contention for the Ballon d’Or include Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappé, and Karim Benzema. However, Messi is the clear favorite to win the award and become the first player to win eight Ballon d’Ors.
