"Keeping it safe for Messi" - Jamie Carragher makes hilarious social media post as he poses with the Ballon d'Or alongside Micah Richards

Jamie Carragher has shared a hilarious picture of himself and Micah Richards keeping the Ballon d'Or safe for red-hot favorite Lionel Messi.

The Inter Miami superstar seems likely to be crowned the 2023 Ballon d'Or winner, winning the award for a record eighth time. The awards ceremony takes place on Monday (October 30) and the Argentine appears to have prevailed.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reports that Messi is expected to win the award. Carragher has long been an admirer of the Barcelona icon and he has hinted he sees the legendary forward winning the award on Monday.

Carragher uploaded a snap on his X (formerly Twitter) account alongside Richards in the CBS Sports Golazo studio. It's a hysterical image of the duo with a brilliant caption:

"Keeping it safe for Messi."

Carragher once lauded the Argentina captain as the greatest player in history, above legends such as Diego Maradona and Pele. He said last year ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup:

"He is the best player (we've) ever seen. You've got greats that come before. Obviously Pele, Johan Cruyff, we saw Maradona. But I would say Lionel Messi is the greatest player to ever play football."

The Liverpool icon wanted La Abiceleste's all-time record goalscorer to cement his legacy by winning the World Cup in Qatar:

"I would love nothing more for Argentina and Lionel Messi to win the World Cup. Just to cement him where I see him but in everybody's eyes as the greatest player to ever play the game."

The 36-year-old did just that, captaining Argentina to World Cup glory in scintillating fashion. The iconic forward bagged seven goals and three assists in seven games. His displays in Qatar are why many expect him to win his eighth Ballon d'Or next week.

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Ronaldo Nazario thinks Lionel Messi deserves to win the Ballon d'Or

Ronaldo is backing the 2022 FIFA World Cup winner.

Real Madrid legend Ronaldo Nazario insists the Argentine icon deserves to win the award for the eighth time following his heroic World Cup campaign. The Brazilian said (via TNT Sports):

"The Ballon d'Or should go to him, without a doubt. What Messi did in the World Cup was special. It reminded me of the campaigns of Pelé and Maradona."

The legendary forward put Argentina on his shoulders in Qatar with extraordinary performances. He became the first player in history to win five Player of the Match awards.

The Inter Miami superstar's closest rival is Manchester City striker Erling Haaland. The Norweigan blitzed Europe away with 29 goals and eight assists in 30 games across competitions. He was key as the Cityzens won the continental treble but he looks set to miss out on the Ballon d'Or.