Big Highlight/ Lionel Messi vs Erling Haaland vs Kylian Mbappe: Ballon d'Or 2023 winner has been revealed

The race for the upcoming Ballon d’Or is heating up. The Ballon d’Or is heralded as one of the most prestigious personal awards in the football circuit. Lionel Messi is the current record holder with seven Ballon d’Or to his name.

3 things you need to know

• The Ballon d’Or will be held on 30th October
• Lionel Messi currently holds the most number of Ballon d’Or titles
• Messi helped Argentina to clinch the 2022 FIFA World Cup

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Lionel Messi to win the Ballon d’Or ceremony?

The grand event which will take place on October 30 will witness the winner of this coveted award. As per a report in Spanish outlet Sport, Lionel Messi is set to be awarded with the honours for a record eighth time. The Argentine lifted his first and Argentina's third World Cup title as the Latin American country defeated France in a nailbiting final in Qatar last year. Messi decided to leave Europe as he joined Inter Miami on a free transfer from PSG. He continued his scoring streak and led the MLS side to their first ever title as they defeated Nashville SC to claim the Leagues Cup title.

(Lionel Messi with the World Cup trophy / Image: AP)

Messi's close competition could have been Erling Haaland who recorded a historic treble in his first ever campaign with Manchester City. The reigning England champions went on to grab the Premier League title, the FA Cup and the coveted Champions League last season. But it seems Messi's World Cup triumph managed to dwarf Haaland who also broke the Premier League record last time.

Also Read: 38-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo overtakes Haaland as the top scorer in 2023 with a brace for Portugal

Messi could be the first to win Ballon d’Or outside of Europe

As per the Sport's report, Aitana Bonmati of Barcelona's women's team will also lay her hand on the Ballon d’Or this time. Bonmati helped Spain to lift the FIFA Women's World Cup a few weeks ago and was also adjudged the Player of the Tournament. Messi will be the first footballer to pick the trophy from outside Europe as he currently plies his trade for Inter Miami which happens to be in the USA.

Messi however denied the fact that he doesn't give too much importance to individual awards. "I have said it many times, the Ballon d'Or is very important due to the recognition at the individual level, but I never gave it importance.
“The most important thing for me was always the awards at the group level. I was lucky to have achieved everything in my career and after the World Cup, I'm thinking about that award much less, my biggest award was that and I'm disguising my moment. If it arrives, good, and if not, nothing happens. I was lucky to achieve all my goals in my career and now I have new goals with this club.”