Ballon d’Or 2023 winner leaks as organisers contact Messi

Argentina international and Inter Miami star Lionel Messi is expected to grab his 8th Ballon d’Or this season.

A report via the UK Mirror, the winners for both the male and female awards for 2023 have been leaked.

Messi led Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar last year.

After he missed out on the 2022 award to Karim Benzema, the organizers have informed Messi of his win ahead of the ceremony taking place in Paris on Monday, October 30.

As for the female award, Catalan newspaper Sport claims Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati will be named the winner, having won the Women’s World Cup with Spain after beating England in August’s dramatic final.

Messi’s imminent triumph will see the Ballon d’Or awarded to someone who plays outside of Europe for the first time in history and take him three clear of eternal rival Cristiano Ronaldo.