While Lionel Messi emerges as the overwhelming favorite in the race for the 2023 Ballon d’Or, the French have favored Kylian Mbappé.
The suspense will soon come to an end. This Monday, October 30, at the Théâtre du Châtelet (Paris), the name of the big winner of the 2023 Ballon d’Or will be revealed. In the meantime, rumors are rife. For many observers, Lionel Messi should, barring any surprises, succeed Karim Benzema and thus win his eighth Ballon d’Or of his career. A record, of course.
But according to the recent survey carried out by Odoxa for Winamax and RTL, the Argentinian world champion does not deserve this 2023 Ballon d’Or. Indeed, it is the French Kylian Mbappé who was acclaimed, collecting no less than 46 % voices. The PSG striker is well ahead of the Norwegian Erling Haaland (19%) and Lionel Messi (12%).
Mbappé behind Haaland and Messi?
However, Kylian Mbappé has little chance of winning his first Ballon d’Or this year, despite his magnificent World Cup in Qatar, where he finished top scorer, notably scoring a historic hat-trick in the final against Argentina. For his part, Erling Haaland could play spoilsport, he who achieved a historic treble with Manchester City – Cup, championship and Champions League – finishing last season top scorer in the five biggest European championships.
Furthermore, voters in the survey carried out by Odoxa place Lionel Messi fourth in the football pantheon (13%), behind Cristiano Ronaldo (14%), Zinedine Zidane (22%) and finally Pelé (28%).
