Lionel Messi will reportedly beat Erling Haaland to the 2023 Ballon d’Or, with the Inter Miami star set for a historic eighth award.
According to Catalan-based publication Sport, the 36-year-old attacker will pip the Manchester City treble-winner to the biggest individual prize in soccer.
Messi enjoyed a sensational 2022/23 season as the forward guided PSG to the Ligue 1 title as well as Inter Miami to Leagues Cup triumph this summer.
However, Messi’s biggest accomplishment was winning the 2022 FIFA World Cup for Argentina, with the attacker scoring in the final and being named player of the tournament.
With Messi’s stock in the US reaching all new heights this summer, winning the Ballon d’Or will be another massive arrow to Inter Miami and MLS’ quiver.
No MLS player has won the Ballon d’Or when registered with the league, and Messi’s pending victory will be a historic moment for the organization and Inter Miami.
Messi’s latest Ballon d’Or triumph could be his biggest yet
With seven Ballon d’Or wins already, Messi is no stranger to being named the best player in the world, yet triumph this year could be his biggest and most important one yet.
As we know, Messi’s accomplishments with Inter Miami have played a part in the attacker being the favourite to win the biggest individual prize in soccer.
And for MLS, they know that their role in Messi winning the award could help transcend the league into a whole new realm, with the division already at dizzying heights.