Lionel Messi is no longer the No. 1 favorite for the 2023 Ballon d’Or. At least according to the latest Sportskeeda ranking, which has updated the list of its candidates for the individual trophy that every footballer dreams of.
The Champions League has always been a competition that weighs in the awarding of the Golden Ball. If being part of a team that goes all the way was a major influence in the past, individual performance throughout the course has taken over since 2022 and the coronation of Karim Benzema has now taken over. And it is the same rule that prevails this year as well.
In this sense, Lionel Messi has very few arguments against players like Erling Haaland or Vinicius Jr who are still in the running to win the Cup with big ears. While he was eliminated in the round of 16.
In the ranking for the month of May, Lionel Messi drops to second place among the favorites for the Ballon d’Or 2023.
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The more the months pass, the more the effect of his coronation at the World Cup in Qatar diminishes.
Even if he will probably win Ligue 1 with PSG, La Pulga sees Erling Haaland who could achieve the treble with the Skyblues pass under his nose.
On the other hand, Victor Osimhen who was sixth in the last ranking, is now fifth after winning the Serie A title with Napoli.
New Ballon d’or 2023 favourites
5- Victor Osimhen (Napoli)
4- Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid)
3- Kylian Mbappé (PSG)
2- Lionel Messi (PSG)
1- Erling Haaland (Manchester City)