Brazil legend Ronaldo Nazario has picked Lionel Messi as his 2023 Ballon d’Or winner. The former Real Madrid striker believes the Argentine deserves the award for his emphatic victory at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
“Messi deserves to win the Ballon d’Or. I think he will be crowned. He won the World Cup, which is a very big tournament.”
Lionel Messi has been in exceptional form at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. The Argentina international collected seven goals and three assists in the tournament and stepped up when it mattered.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner bagged a brace in the final against France and converted his spot-kick in the penalty shootout as well.
He seemed to be in great form for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) last season as well, judging by the numbers. Messi scored 16 goals and provided as many assists in 32 Ligue 1 games for the French outfit.
The former Barcelona forward also had four goals and an assist in the UEFA Champions League last term.
However, he came under fire from PSG fans along with teammate Neymar Jr. for the club’s failures in European competition. The Parisians were knocked out of the tournament in the round of 16 by Bayern Munich, extending their wait for the Champions League trophy.
Messi has now secured a free transfer to Major League Soccer (MLS) side Inter Miami following the expiry of his contract at the Parc des Princes.
Whether the Argentine superstar will win the Ballon d’Or in 2023 for his performances last season remains to be seen.
“Individual prizes are not what matters to me” – Lionel Messi makes emphatic claim about 2023 Ballon d’Or
After achieving his boyhood dream of winning the World Cup in 2022, a feat his arch-rival Cristiano Ronaldo has not yet accomplished, many consider Messi to be the frontrunner for the 2023 Ballon d’Or.