Featured Image Credit: Getty/Footy Renders
Topics: Lionel Messi, Barcelona, Football, Ballon d'Or
Nasir Jabbar
Topics: Lionel Messi, Barcelona, Football, Ballon d'Or
The Ballon d'Or winners have been 'leaked' ahead of the official ceremony later this month.
The 67th edition of the Ballon d'Or will take place on October 30 in a swanky gala at the Chatelet Theater in Paris, France.
And the male and women Ballon d'Or winners have been 'leaked' in a fresh report.
Lionel Messi is set to win his eighth individual prize, with the World Cup winner to become the first player playing outside of Europe to win the award.
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The 36-year-old's eighth award will see him extend his record as the most-decorated player in Ballon d'Or history.
He's won seven previous Ballon d'Ors in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019 and 2021 - and will see him reclaim the gong after it went to Karim Benzema last year.
He's in line to beat Erling Haaland, who inspired Manchester City to a treble last season, having helped Argentina win the World Cup in Qatar last year.
Despite the 23-year-old scoring an impressive 52 goals in all competitions, Norway coach Stale Solbakken believes he should NOT win the award.
Barcelona women's star Aitana Bonmati is set to win the Ballon d'Or Feminin award, according to Spanish outlet SPORT.
She will replace double winner Alexia Putellas, who won the award in 2021 and 2022.
Like Messi, the 29-year-old steered her national team to World Cup glory, beating England 1-0 last August.
She was also central to Barca winning the Champions League last season.
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