According to reports, Lionel Messi is set to secure his eighth Ballon d’Or, an impressive feat for the Argentine who currently plays for Inter Miami in the MLS after a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain last summer.
Sports pundits believe that Messi will once again claim the prestigious award, which he narrowly missed out on to Karim Benzema a year ago.
His exceptional performance for Argentina during the previous year’s World Cup, where he scored five goals and provided three assists, significantly boosts his chances of earning this accolade.
Messi has also been in fine form for Inter Miami, registering 11 goals in his first 13 appearances, although only one of those goals came in the MLS, as he has faced some challenges in recent matches.
However, this news is likely to disappoint Manchester City’s Erling Haaland. The Norwegian striker joined the Etihad Stadium from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2022 and had an outstanding season as Manchester City achieved a treble under Pep Guardiola.
Haaland scored an impressive 52 goals from 53 matches across all competitions, with a remarkable 36 of those coming in the Premier League.
He has continued his excellent form in the current season, netting eight goals from 12 matches, despite a sense that he is still adapting to the new season.
It’s worth noting that Cristiano Ronaldo, who now plays for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, wasn’t nominated for this year’s Ballon d’Or, despite outscoring both Messi and Haaland with 40 goals in 2023 thus far.
Ronaldo displayed his brilliance for Portugal recently by scoring twice in a 5-0 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina, bringing his international goal tally to 127.
However, the Ballon d’Or ceremony is on the horizon, scheduled for October 30, and Messi is expected to be in attendance to receive the award once again.
The 36-year-old Messi initially won the Ballon d’Or in 2009 after a stellar season with Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona, achieving a La Liga, Copa del Rey, and Champions League treble.
He went on to win the award three more times consecutively before Cristiano Ronaldo claimed it twice. In recent years, Messi added to his impressive collection with victories in 2015, 2019, and 2021.
Lionel Messi
Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini
This season he played in total 5 times for 282 minutes for Major League Soccer.
Lionel Messi scored 1 goal for Inter Miami. He procured twice assists. He received no yellow cards and no red cards.
His team is currently 14th in Major League Soccer. In the last match Inter Miami lost 1-0 against Cincinnati.
Inter Miami performance and stats
Inter Miami is currently 14th in the Major League Soccer with 33 points.
In the last 32 games, it has won 9 times, drawn 6 times, and lost 17 times. In its last match, Inter Miami lost 0-1 against Cincinnati.
It has a negative goal difference after scoring 39 goals and conceding 51.
Inter Miami will play the next match in Major League Soccer against Charlotte on Thursday 19th of October in Fort Lauderdale. The prediction is Inter Miami winning the match.
Erling Haaland
Erling Håland
This season he played in total 8 times for 710 minutes for Premier League.
Erling Haaland scored 7 goals for Manchester City. He procured one assist. He received no yellow cards and no red cards.
His team is currently 3rd in Premier League. In the last match Manchester City lost 1-0 against Arsenal. The next match in Premier League will be against Brighton & Hove Albion.
Manchester City performance and stats
Manchester City is currently 3rd in the Premier League with 18 points.
In the last 8 games, it has won 6 times and lost twice. In its last match, Manchester City lost 1-0 against Arsenal.
It has a positive goal difference after scoring 17 goals and conceding 6.
Manchester City will play the next match in Premier League against Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday 21st of October in Manchester. The prediction is Manchester City winning the match.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro
This season he played in total 8 times for 716 minutes for Pro League.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored 9 goals for Al Nassr. He procured 5 assists. He received no yellow cards and no red cards.
His team is currently 3rd in Pro League. In the last match Al Nassr drew 2-2 against Abha. The next match in Pro League will be against Dhamk.
Al Nassr performance and stats
Al Nassr is currently 3rd in the Pro League with 19 points.
In the last 9 games, it has won 6 times, drawn once, and lost twice. In its last match, Al Nassr drawn 2-2 against Abha.
It has a positive goal difference after scoring 26 goals and conceding 12.
Al Nassr will play the next match in Pro League against Dhamk on Saturday 21st of October in Riyadh. The prediction is Al Nassr winning the match.