Ex-Liverpool star provides emphatic two-word response to claims that Lionel Messi will win 2023 Ballon d'Or

Former Liverpool winger Ryan Babel has emphatically agreed that Lionel Messi should be named the winner of the 2023 Ballon d'Or award.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano recently reported that Messi, 36, is expected to win the award for a record eighth time. The decision will be made official on Monday, October 30, at the awards ceremony in Paris.

Babel made his feelings clear in the comments of Romano's post. The former Liverpool winger said:

"Of course."

If Lionel Messi does in fact win the Ballon d'Or, he'll leave behind the likes of Manchester City duo Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne and his former Paris Saint-Germain teammate Kylian Mbappe.

Messi's eighth expected triumph is mostly down to his extraordinary displays at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar last year. The Inter Miami superstar led Argentina to World Cup glory from the front, bagging seven goals and three assists in seven games.

La Abiceleste's captain can become the first active MLS player to win the Ballon d'Or. He headed to DRV PNK this past summer following two years at PSG where he won two Ligue 1 titles.

However, some argue that City superstar Haaland is more deserving of the award. The Norweigan striker netted 52 goals and nine assists in 53 games across competitions during his debut season at the Etihad.

West Ham United striker Michail Antonio insists it will be a 'scandal' if Haaland is beaten to the award by Messi. The 23-year-old also finished top scorer in the Premier League (36 goals in 35 games) and the UEFA Champions League (12 in 11).

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Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was wowed by Ballon d'Or favorite Lionel Messi's World Cup heroics

Jurgen Klopp is a huge admirer of Lionel Messi.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp hailed Lionel Messi as the greatest footballer in his lifetime after he won the World Cup with Argentina. The German alluded to the longevity of the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner (via GOAL):

"The greatest footballer in my lifetime, Lionel Messi, the way he plays football in this age should give us all a hint at how long footballers can perform at the top level. We shouldn’t close the books too early. It was a joy to watch him."

Messi won the Golden Ball award for his exploits at the World Cup in Qatar. He also became the first player in history to win five Player of the Match awards during the illustrious tournament.

Liverpool don't have any players rivaling Messi for the Ballon d'Or this year. Anfield legend Michael Owen is the only player in the club's history to win the award, doing so in 2001.