Lionel Messi’s upcoming 8th Ballon d’Or has been exciting news for his fans all week, and this excitement was even spurred by Thierry Henry’s explanation as to why Lionel Messi deserves to win his 8th Ballon d’Or over Erling Haaland. To Messi’s fans, Lionel Messi is going to gain another advantage over Cristiano Ronaldo and, indeed, every other football icon that has walked the face of the earth.
However, it comes as a surprise that the Argentine World Cup winner may not be the highest holder in history after all. Sources believe that if the Ballon d’Or award were extended to South Americans, Lionel Messi may not be the acclaimed Ballon d’Or record holder.
Didier Drogba reportedly to give Lionel Messi his 8th Ballon d’Or
It has been confirmed that Didier Drogba will be presenting the men’s Ballon d’Or, and he is expected to hand the prestigious award to Inter-Miami star Lionel Messi. Messi is the favourite to win his eighth Golden Ball, surpassing Cristiano Ronaldo and other contenders like Erling Haaland.
Indeed, Messi’s exceptional performance at the World Cup is expected to give him the edge in the race for the Ballon d’Or. Despite Erling Haaland’s remarkable season with Manchester City, where he scored 52 goals and helped his team secure a treble, it seems that Messi’s World Cup success will likely make the difference in the award race.
Former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has also hinted at Lionel Messi’s 8th Ballon d’Or, saying:
“On Monday, we’re going to present the 67th ceremony of the Ballon d’Or France Football. And we are going to talk about the last two World Cups. We’re going to talk about the treble of Manchester City. And amazing individual performances, men’s and women’s football as well. So I see you on Monday. Are you ready? Who’s going to be the next Ballon d’Or France Football?.”
Lionel Messi may have fallen behind in Jersey sales, but it is almost certain now that the Argentine World Cup winner will win his 8th Ballon d’Or on the 30th of October.
Lionel Messi suffers Ballon d’Or blow
Lionel Messi is indeed on the verge of winning his record-extending eighth Ballon d’Or, which would be a historic achievement. This anticipated triumph follows his inspiring performance in leading Argentina to victory in the 2022 World Cup. Messi’s seven previous Ballon d’Or awards already set him apart, with two more than his nearest rival, Cristiano Ronaldo.
However, there has been a long-standing debate surrounding the number of Ballon d’Or awards won by Brazil’s iconic football legend, Pele, with some sources also crediting him with seven Ballon d’Or titles. This matter remains a subject of contention and debate in football history.
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have indeed maintained a remarkable duopoly over the Ballon d’Or for nearly two decades, showcasing their exceptional talents and consistency at the highest level of football. Despite the advancing years, Messi is currently the favourite to secure his eighth Ballon d’Or at the upcoming ceremony on October 30, a testament to his incredible career and the extraordinary impact he’s had on the sport.
The ‘international re-evaluation’ conducted by France Football in 2016 indeed suggested that Pele, the Brazilian football legend, would have been awarded the Ballon d’Or seven times if he had been eligible for consideration.
However, it’s important to note that players based outside of Europe were not considered for the Ballon d’Or until 1995. According to this re-evaluation, Pele would have won the Ballon d’Or in the years 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1963, 1964, and 1970, further emphasizing his incredible impact on the world of football.
Who is the deserving winner of the 2023 Ballon d’Or in your opinion? Tell us in the comments.
