Ballon d’Or leak ‘reveal 2023 winners’ ahead of Lionel Messi battle with Erling Haaland
Lionel Messi will lift eight world player of the year crown, according to report.
The 2023 Ballon d’Or will be won by Lionel Messi, a major leak of the prestigious footballing awards has claimed.
Spanish newspaper Sport has revealed the men’s and women’s recipients of the going ahead of the Paris ceremony on October 30.
Erling Halland, Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe have all beem tipped to compete with Messi after superb years, in particular for the Manchester City striker after he his 52 goal en route to winning the treble with his club.
The Inter Miami star would be the first player based outside of Europe to win the Ballon d’Or, which was created in 1956. His last honour came in 2021 after guiding his country to the Copa America title.
The winner of the women’s award, the Ballon d’Or feminin, has also been leaked in the report.
Six members of Spain World cup winning team are on the 30-player longlist and Bercelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati, who won the Golden Ball at the tournament Down under, is set to scoop the award.
