Football celebrities are weighing in on who should win this year’s Ballon d’Or, with the winner to be revealed in a ceremony on Monday. On Wednesday, football commentator Thierry Henry of CBS Sports selected Lionel Messi to be his winner. The Argentine is on course to win his 8th Ballon d’Or. It looks like he will create history in doing so as well. It has also been confirmed by transfer guru, Fabrizio Romano, as he tweeted about the same.
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The Argentine has had a year to remember. This was not forgotten by Henry at all. The Frenchman continued to explain why the attacker for Inter Miami and Argentina is deserving of the coveted medal for his valiant performances in December of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Henry said, ‘I mean a lot of people can debate that but for me if you win the World Cup, the way he did it, we can talk about what happened in the final. As a Frenchman, I was a little bit disappointed with how it finished but you can’t say that it isn’t deserved if he wins it.’
He continued, ‘A lot of people can claim that Man City players, Haaland and some other players can also say “why not me?” but you can’t say that it’s not right if he wins it. You have the history at times where I’m thinking about Lewandowski, they decided to say there will not be a Ballon d’Or but there was football. Why was the guy not allowed to win his Ballon d’Or?’
Haaland vs Messi for Ballon d’Or 2023
Erling Haaland, a forward for Manchester City, 23, and is Lionel Messi’s main rival for the prize this year. The Norwegian sensation, who joined the English team in 2022 after leaving Borussia Dortmund, became the driving force behind City’s offensive. Last season, Haaland set a club record with 52 goals, helping City win their first treble.
Lionel Messi, meanwhile, led Argentina to the World Cup in Qatar. In the WC, he scored seven goals, including two in the thrilling championship match against France. Messi signed a record-breaking deal to leave Paris Saint-Germain and join Inter Miami CF in the Major League Soccer after the World Cup.
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In less than two months, Lionel Messi guided Miami to their first-ever club championship—the Leagues Cup. In the US Open Cup final, he led his team but was defeated by the Houston Dynamo.
Despite Lionel Messi’s seven prior Ballon d’Or victories, the 36-year-old continues to insist that he should have his eighth. Henry gave a succinct and straightforward response when asked directly by fellow commentator Jamie Carragher who he believes should win the Ballon d’Or on Monday. He said, ‘For me, Messi. Bye. Over.’
Even Brazil legend, Ronaldo Nazario has picked his Ballon d’Or winner for 2023. Between Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland, Ronaldo believes that Leo deserves the award more. He said, ‘The Ballon d’Or should go to him [Lionel Messi], without a doubt. What Messi did in the World Cup was special. It reminded me of the campaigns of Pelé and Maradona.’
Editors pick
