Lionel Messi is highly expected to win the Ballon d’Or 2023. Messi, who joined Inter Miami in July, will receive the prize for the seventh time on Monday at a ceremony in Paris. Lionel Messi, on the other hand, may win the Super Ballon d’Or at the conclusion of the decade.
The Argentine is expected to win the accolade ahead of treble-winning Manchester City attacker Erling Haaland. Last December, he led Argentina to their first World Cup victory since 1986. But there is one particular accolade that Messi has yet to win: the Super Ballon d’Or.
The special award, given to the best male player of the previous three decades, has only been given once, in 1989. Alfredo Di Stefano was the winner at the time. During his remarkable Real Madrid career, Di Stefano scored 308 goals and won 17 titles and two Ballon d’Ors.
Fans, a France Football panel, and past Ballon d’Or winners voted to choose Di Stefano. Johan Cruyff, a Dutch star who won the Ballon d’Or three times in 1971, 1973, and 1974, finished second. Michel Platini finished third after winning the Ballon d’Or three years in a row between 1983 and 1985.
Of course, only European players were eligible for the prize at the time. As a result, Pele and Diego Maradona were not considered. The Super Ballon d’Or may be given again in 2029, according to rumours. If that is the case, Messi is the overwhelming frontrunner.
With the exception of Monday night’s predicted triumph, the Argentine has won seven Ballon d’Ors in three decades. Messi has four Champions League championships and ten La Liga crowns to his name. However, Lionel Messi’s national team won the World Cup and the Copa America.
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