With the Ballon d'Or ceremony getting ever closer, the winner for the latest edition of the award has reportedly been leaked.
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According to Sport, Lionel Messi will be crowned the best player in the world for the 2022/23 campaign. It would be the eighth Golden Ball of his career and a record-extending win for the Rosario native.
It seems that the Argentine's performances at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, ultimately winning the global showpiece, was the deciding factor for France Football magazine, with the Albiceleste captain also scoring 20 goals and provide 20 assists across Ligue 1 and the UEFA Champions League during his final season with Paris Saint-Germain.
His dazzling displays have also translated to his new club, Inter Miami. In the 13 games he has played with the Herons, the diminutive attacker already has 11 goals and five assists.
Should Messi win it, it will be the first time the award is handed to a player who is not plying their trade at a European club.
Before joining the David Beckham-owned outfit, Barca were believed to be in the race to sign Messi but ultimately failed.
However, according to the same report, the Blaugrana will have one of their representatives win the Ballon d'Or Feminin, with the Spanish publication claiming that Aitana Bonmati will win that section.
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The 25-year-old helped the Catalan giants win the UEFA Women's Champions League before heading to New Zealand and Australia and playing a pivotal role in helping La Roja capture their maiden FIFA Women's World Cup title.
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