THE WINNER of the 2023 Ballon d’Or award appears to have been leaked and football fans are not happy.
The sport has moved to a new age with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi fading away from the spotlight as they both left Europe for Saudi Arabia and the US respectively.
Stars of the future have already risen with the likes of Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka already setting the world alight.
However, all of the above seem like they will have to wait another year for their moment in the sun.
That is because famous and reliable insider Fabrizio Romano claims it will be Messi leaving Paris with the prestigious award for a record eighth time on Monday.
Romano tweeted: “Leo Messi, expected to win the Ballon d’Or 2023.
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“Understand all the indications are set to be confirmed but Messi will be the final winner once again.
“Official decision to be unveiled Monday night in Paris. It will be Messi’s historical 8th Ballon d’Or.”
The news left the fans infuriated as although Messi led Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar, he still struggled at Paris Saint-Germain and now plays for Inter Miami in the MLS.
That would overshadow Haaland’s sensational Treble-winning success at Manchester City as well as Jude Bellingham’s stunning Real Madrid form after his record £115million move from Borussia Dortmund.
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One fan tweeted: “We’re about to witness the biggest robbery in the history [of] football on 30th October, 2023.”
Another posted: “This is embarrassing. I love Messi, but if he wins the Ballon d’Or for this year I think the award will lose much of its remaining credibility.”
A third said: “This is coming from a lifelong Man United fan but Haaland is the real winner!”
This fan commented: “Another robbery.”
And that on wrote: “Football is finished.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
