Ballon d’Or: The name of the big winner revealed

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By: Manu Tournoux

Ballon d'Or: The name of the big winner revealed

For Pep Guardiola there is no doubt: Lionel Messi is the huge favorite to win the 2023 Ballon d’Or.

Who will succeed Karim Benzema on the Ballon d’Or list? While we have known the 30 nominees since the beginning of September, two names stand out to raise the most prestigious individual distinctions in football this year: Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland.

It must be said that the Argentinian won the World Cup being the undisputed leader of the Albiceleste, while the Norwegian achieved a historic treble with Manchester City – Cup, championship and Champions League – scoring goal after goal.

“I would love Erling to win, but Messi…”

But for Pep Guardiola, coach of Erling Haaland, there is no room for doubt: Lionel Messi is on pole to win the eighth Ballon d’Or of his career. “I have always said that the Ballon d’Or should be made up of two categories. One for Lionel Messi and one for the others »first confided the Citizens coach at a press conference this Friday.

And to add: “Erling Haaland should win yes… We did the treble, he scored a million goals. I would love Erling to win, but Messi… he won the World Cup! » The name of the big winner will be revealed on October 30, during an evening organized at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris.

Manu Tournoux

Written by:

Manu Tournoux

Manu Tournoux is a passionate and knowledgeable football enthusiast with a special focus on French football. Born and raised in France, Manu discovered his love for the beautiful game at a young age and developed a deep understanding of the ins and outs of "Le Championnat." His French roots and extensive experience in football journalism have made him an invaluable asset to the French Football Weekly team. As an author for the website, his expertise includes not only in-depth analysis of Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 matches but also insightful profiles of up-and-coming talents, detailed transfer news, and engaging coverage of the French national team. His captivating writing style and undeniable passion for the game have earned him a loyal following among our readers. When he's not crafting engaging articles for French Football Weekly, Manu enjoys attending live matches whenever he can, exploring football culture in various French cities, and engaging in spirited debates with fellow fans.