Robert Lewandowski names player to win 2023 Ballon d’Or
Messi reached the crowning moment of his professional football career when he won the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar on December 18.
The Paris Saint-Germain forward bagged two goals in regulation time as Argentina defeated France in the World Cup final on a penalty shoot-out following a 3-3 draw after 120 minutes at the Lusail Stadium.
Lewandowski believes for that reason, Messi is now the favourite player to win the 2023 Ballon d’Or ahead of France forward Kylian Mbappe.
Speaking to Mundo Deportivo, the Poland international said (via Barca Universal): “Of course. There is maybe one more player [Mbappe] playing for the same club, but there is only one World Cup that decides who is going to win it [Ballon d’Or] this season, and Leo [Messi] is now in the top position for sure because of what he has achieved which means everything to him.
“Now he can enjoy it,” the former Bayern Munich star said.
This is a major determinant in a world cup year and the glaring personality in the coupe de mundia is no other than the Messi!. He was conspicuously seen and his contribution from start to end of the most revered football competition was second to none. Who else is befitting of this prestigious individual award? Others are miles below him with Kilian Mbape in second shot. Without undermining other factors like club and country contributions Messi is still the most favourable to win this individual award for 2023.