The Ballon d’Or 2023 final list has been leaked and Lionel Messi sits at the top for the eighth time after the World Cup victory.

SPORT has reported that Lionel Messi is going to be crowned as the best player in the world once again in the Ballon d’Or 2023 ceremony, beating Erling Haaland. The post was later deleted by the news outlet without giving much explanation. If this is true, Messi will win his eighth Ballon d’Or.

Haaland won the Treble with Man City and scored 52 goals during the entire season. Even so, the Argentinian legend might have managed to take the glory from the youngster.

This wouldn’t be the first time a player has won the award thanks to the World Cup. Luka Modric is a great example. After an excellent performance during the 2018 World Cup and leading Croatia to the final, he was later given the Ballon d’Or.

However, everything is not lost for Haaland. Firstly, this is just pure rumor at the moment. Secondly, he is still young and full of fire and can still win in upcoming years.

If Messi does win the Ballon d’Or 2023, he will become the first player to win it while playing in a non-European club.

After his move the Inter Miami, the Argentinian has been trying to live a more stressless life. It seems as if he has managed just that while still playing as he has always done. With the sports growing in the USA, Messi bringing the award and presenting it there will boost it even more.

In October we are going to find out if he really is the Ballon d’Or 2023 winner.

Do you think Messi deserved the award?