“Indications confirmed” - Fabrizio Romano makes huge claim on Lionel Messi’s 2023 Ballon d’Or hopes

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has reported that Lionel Messi is set to win his 8th Ballon d'Or next week. The journalist claims that all indications point to the Argentine lifting the prestigious award.

Lionel Messi won the FIFA World Cup with Argentina last year in Qatar and was vital for the side. He won the Golden Ball at the tournament with seven goals and three assists. He finished just one goal behind Kylian Mbappe, who won the Golden Boot.

He also scored 21 goals and provided 21 assists in 41 games for Paris Saint-Germain, helping them win the Ligue 1 title.

Reports emerged last week that Messi was informed of the decision and that the Inter Miami star was planning to make it to the ceremony. He is set to be in Paris next week with his family and Inter Miami owners are also expected to be a part of the ceremony.

Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe were reported to be in the running for the award, with the Manchester City star getting a lot of backing. The Norwegian helped Manchester City win the treble last season. He was a key figure for Pep Guardiola's side, scoring 52 goals in 53 games across competitions.

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Mixed reaction from pundits for Lionel Messi winning Ballon d'Or

Former Chelsea defender Jason Cundy is not in favor of Lionel Messi winning the Ballon d'Or. He said on talkSPORT that the award should be given to Erling Haaland and went on to call it a disgrace if the Argentine walked away with it.

He said:

"I think if Haaland doesn't win it, it's a disgrace. I think it's a disgrace, Messi will win it because he won the World Cup."

Former Aston Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor, meanwhile, is in favor of Messi lifting the award for the eighth time. He said that the Argentine was magical at the World Cup:

"You have to give it to Messi though, you have to. Winning the world Cup [in which] he was outstanding. I was at the Mexico game, and I've never felt adrenaline like it. The love he had from the Argentina fans, like a God on the pitch."

Agbonlahor added:

"Even that game though against Mexico, like, you was like tired, and then he picked up his left foot, bang, bottom corner. He is like, it was always in his mind that he was gonna drag this team to win the World Cup. And he has to win the Ballon d'Or."

Commenting on Haaland, he said:

"He'll be unlucky Haaland. But his [chance] will come next year, I could imagine. But when you win the World Cup and how well Lionel Messi played in that World Cup was outstanding."

Meanwhile, five-time Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo, who left Manchester United and joined Al Nassr, hasn't made it to the final 30 nominees list this year.