Ballon d’Or

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      Erling Haaland could slump to THIRD in Ballon d’Or as fans call for Man City team-mate to beat Messi to gong

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      MANCHESTER CITY superstar Erling Haaland could drop to third in the Ballon d’Or rankings despite his record-breaking exploits.Haaland led City to a Treble as he became the Premier League’s all-time leading goalscorer in a single campaign and topped the Champions League charts, while also dominating the FA Cup.
      Manchester City star Erling Haaland could finish third in the Ballon d’or rankingsCredit: Getty
      Fans prefer Haaland’s Manchester City team-mate Rodri for the Ballon d’Or awardCredit: Rex
      Lionel Messi could also win the award after leading Argentina to the World CupCredit: Getty
      However, fans believe one of the star striker’s City team-mates deserves the Ballon d’Or more than Pep Guardiola’s goal machine.
      And that is none other than Rodri, who added the Nations League to his trophy case on Sunday.
      The midfielder helped Spain beat Croatia on penalties after a goalless draw in the final at De Kuip.
      The 26-year-old put together another man-of-the-match performance in a final shortly after scoring City’s winner against Inter Milan to seal the club’s first ever Champions League trophy.
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      And Rodri’s exploits could see him cut some of Haaland’s votes for the 2023 Ballon d’Or.
      The Norway international poses as a favourite, while Lionel Messi is hoping for an eighth award after leading Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar.
      But Rodri’s success could slump Haaland to third place following mass praise from the fans.
      One fan tweeted: “Premier League, FA Cup, Champions League, Nations League. MOTM awards in multiple finals. Rodri has completed football this season.”
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      Another commented: “All timer season by a DM. Rodri deserves to be on that Ballon d’Or podium.”
      A third posted: “If Jorginho made top 3 in the Ballon D’or in 2021, then Rodri should be winning the Ballon D’or for winning the treble and winning the Nations League… Uncomfortable conversations.”
      This fan wrote: “Rodri is a better contender for the Ballon D’or than Messi.”
      And that one stated: “It has been a good 2022/2023-season for Rodri. A Ballon d’Or worthy season.” More

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      Inside Messi’s new Salt Bae-style restaurant as diners slam eye-watering prices with £40 pasta & £30 chocolate football

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      LIONEL Messi’s new Salt Bae-style restaurant has been slammed by diners over its eye-watering prices.Footy supporters have blasted him for charging £18.30 for a plate of macaroni.
      Lionel Messi, seen here during his recent Saudi visit, has opened a Salt bae-style restaurantCredit: Instagram
      Salt Bae poses with beaming Lionel Messi and Paul Pogba at his Dubai restaurant in 2018Credit: Instagram
      Spanish influencer Monica Moran tucks into the Ballon d’Or chocolate dessert which costs £30.90Credit: Jam Press Vid/@monismurf
      Monica’s TikTok video of the restaurant went viral, picking up 13.8m viewsCredit: Jam Press Vid/@monismurf
      Messi’s new restaurant is in the five-star MiM Hotel in AndorraCredit: Jam Press Vid/@monismurf
      The Argentine World Cup hero’s ravioli is £39.20 albeit it is filled with lobster.
      The 35-year-old PSG ace also sells a £30.90 Ballon d’Or chocolate dessert.
      Fans said they’d only pay for it if the former Barcelona great was serving it up.
      Spanish influencer, Monica Moran visited his Hincha – which translates as a supporter – restaurant in the five-star MiM Hotel, in the tiny principality of Andorra.
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      Monica shared a clip of her trip with her 9.4million TikTok followers.
      The video went viral with 13.8m views.
      Monica said: “We ordered a pizza to share and it was really good.
      “They came to show us the meat they were going to make us, and the truth is that it was 10 out of 10, incredible.”
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      To finish, the group decided to order the football shaded pud in honour of his record seven best football in the world titles.
      Monica described the sweet treat as “a very strange mixture”.
      She added: “Although it was very pretty, inside it was just cream, peanuts, popcorn, and marshmallow.”
      But fans were left bemused by the prices.
      One said: “The macaroni is £18 (€21)… Is Messi coming to prepare it? Hahaha.”
      Samir remarked: “If Messi doesn’t bring my food to the table and sit down with me to eat.
      “I don’t want anything.”
      Alejo wrote: “I’m going to sell my grandmother’s house, but I’m going, I’m going.”
      Another fan joked that it would cost “two kidneys, eight lungs and two hearts.”
      Unearthed footage of Messi visiting Salt Bae’s Dubai restaurant emerged following the outlandish Turkish chef’s World Cup final stunt last year.
      The celebrity chef was slammed for pestering Argentina’s talisman for a selfie on the pitch in an embarrassing display following the nailbiting shootout in the tournament.
      The Turkish cook and Instagram star – real name Nusret Gökçe – was filmed grabbing Messi by the shoulder at least twice.
      Messi tried to shrug him off before finally agreeing to pose for a picture.
      However it was not the first time they had met.
      Video shows Messi eating at Gökçe’s Dubai steakhouse with his wife Antonela Roccuzzo and a pal in November 2018.
      Barcelona forward Messi gives the chef a hug and shakes his hand as his table gets the full VIP treatment.
      After theatrically slicing their steak, Salt Bae invites Messi to sprinkle salt over it.
      Then other diners cheer and clap as the chef feeds a slice of meat into Messi’s mouth using the tip of his knife.
      He also grinned while posing for a picture with Gökçe and former Man Utd midfielder Paul Pogba, who dined there the same night.
      At the time the two stars were on a break from international duty.
      Another video showed them deep in conversation – sparking transfer speculation as Pogba urged Messi: “We have to play together”.
      Salt Bae’s restaurants are known for their exceptionally high prices, particularly their steaks.
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      Guests will fork out an astonishing £1,350 for a Golden Giant Striploin and £1,450 for a Golden Giant Tomahawk at his Knightsbridge eaterie.
      A Golden Burger sells for £100 each.
      Messi previously imitated the chef’s famous salt sprinkling gimmick in DubaiCredit: Instagram
      Argentina captain Messi eventually relented and posed for a selfie at the World Cup finalCredit: instagram More

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      Erling Haaland CAN’T win the Ballon d’Or over Lionel Messi claims Man City team-mate

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      BERNARDO SILVA believes that Erling Haaland won’t claim the Ballon d’Or over Lionel Messi – unless Manchester City win the Champions League.The prestigious award is handed out at the end of the calendar year to the world’s finest footballer – and there are no shortage of candidates so far.
      Bernardo Silva has seen Haaland’s greatness first-hand – but still doesn’t back him for football’s biggest individual awardCredit: Getty
      Lionel Messi has had a busy month in Paris as tension between the 35-year-old and the club continues to boilCredit: Getty
      Many would back Haaland to follow up his Football Writers’ Association’s Footballer of the Year award with the Ballon d’Or after his stunning debut season in England.
      The Norwegian forward has broken the Premier League record for most goals in a single season and still has three games add more strikes to his tally.
      But over in France Messi has recaptured his best form at PSG – even as transfer speculation continues to distract from his exploits.
      Silva has a theory about what it would take for his 22-year-old teammate to stop Messi winning yet another individual honour.
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      He told France Football: “If Haaland wins Premier League and Champions League, you can put him in the Ballon d’Or discussion, and you can also talk about Vini Jr. if Madrid win the Champions League.
      “In general, it is between Messi and the winner of the Champions League, and so far, I will give it to Messi.”
      Man City are within three wins of capturing both the Premier League and the Champions League, and within four wins of doing the treble.
      Haaland has played a major role in their fight for glory with a staggering 52 goals across all competitions.
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      But seven-times Ballon d’Or winner Messi will be keen to nab another honour – even though he will be 36 by the time the historic award will be dished out.
      He has 15 goals and 15 assists in 29 Ligue 1 appearances this season.
      While European success is beyond his reach this season, only four more points is needed for Messi and his teammates to land another title. More

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      When is the Ballon d’Or 2023? TV channel, live stream and UK start time to brand best player in world football

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      THE Ballon d’Or is the highest individual accolade in the game of football.Last year saw Karim Benzema win the prestigious award after a spectacular campaign.
      Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema receives the 2022 Ballon d’Or awardCredit: GETTY
      The Frenchman won the award for the first time in his career after leading Real Madrid to the La Liga title and a 14th European Cup in 2022.
      Last season Benzema also scored 27 goals in the Spanish top flight and was the top goalscorer in the Champions League with 15 goals.
      This year many are of the opinion that Lionel Messi will be victorious for an astounding eighth time.
      The football legend helped Argentina to victory at the Qatar World Cup back in December and was also voted player of the tournament.
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      Meanwhile, you can’t ignore Manchester City goal machine Erling Haaland, who has scored 52 goals in all competitions so far this season.
      The Norweigan striker could also win a historic treble this campaign, with City very much in the frame to win the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup.
      When is the Ballon d’Or 2023?

      The Ballon d’Or 2023 will take place on Monday, October 16th.
      The ceremony is expected to begin at 8pm BST.
      The Theatre du Chatelet in Paris will play host.

      What channel is the Ballon d’Or 2023 and can it be live streamed?

      Official details for broadcasting of the Ballon d’Or 2023 are yet to be revealed.
      Last year fans were able to live stream via the L’Equipe YouTube channel and website.
      Viewers in the UK could also watch on the Eurosport TV channel.

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      Who has won the most Ballon d’Or?

      Lionel Messi – 7: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021
      Cristiano Ronaldo – 5: 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017
      Michel Platini – 3: 1983, 1984, 1985
      Johan Cruyff – 3: 1971, 1971, 1974
      Marco van Basten – 3: 1988, 1989, 1992
      Franz Beckenbauer – 2: 1972, 1976
      Ronaldo – 2: 1997, 2002
      Alfredo Di Stefano – 2: 1957, 1959
      Kevin Keegan – 2: 1978, 1979
      Karl-Heinz Rummenigge – 2: 1980, 1981 More

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      Fifa’s The Best winner ‘leaked’ online ahead of announcement… but who will land gong between Mbappe, Messi and Co?

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      THE winner of Fifa’s prestigious The Best Men’s Player award has allegedly been leaked online. The likes of Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe go head-to-head tonight for the chance to lift the award after strong years on the pitch.
      The winner of Fifa’s The Best Men’s Player has allegedly been leaked onlineCredit: Reuters
      Both Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi are in the running to win the awardCredit: Getty
      But who is the apparent winner of this year’s award among the already announced nominees?
      According to journalist Francesc Aguilar, who works for Mundo Deportivo, the winner should come as a little surprise given the superstar’s success at the World Cup.
      Aguilar has claimed: “Lionel Messi is The Best. On Monday, FIFA will remind L’Equipe and France Football that they did not include Leo among the candidates for the Ballon d’Or.
      “To make matters worse, FIFA will hold The Best gala in…Paris!”
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      This information was also reported by journalist Fabrizio Romano on Sunday.
      Messi put in a stunning performance to help guide Argentina all the way to the World Cup trophy in Qatar, including scoring twice in the final and being awarded the Golden Ball.
      The 35-year-old was on fire for PSG in the second half of the year after struggling to find his scoring touch in the first, a fact which saw him omitted from the nominees for the Ballon d’Or, which was won by Champions League winning Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema.
      It means Messi will win the award for the second time since its inception, having previously picked up the gong in 2019.
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      It will also see Frenchman Mbappe denied his first win of the award.
      The 24-year-old had a truly remarkable year, becoming just the second player to ever score a World Cup final hat-trick, taking the golden boot in Qatar and scoring the most goals in Europe’s top five league in 2022 with 44.
      Benzema is another name set to be snubbed despite his Ballon d’Or win and Champions League victory with Real Madrid last season.
      The ceremony will begin at 8pm this evening.
      World Cup winner Messi is set to win the awardCredit: Getty
      Messi has had a strong Ligue 1 season at PSG More

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      Arsenal transfer target Mykhaylo Mudryk tipped to win Ballon d’Or by Brighton boss De Zerbi, who coached him at Shakhtar

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      ARSENAL target Mykhaylo Mudryk could win the Ballon d’Or in the future, his former manager has claimed.Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi coached Mudryk at Shakhtar Donetsk before the outbreak of war in Ukraine saw him leave the club.
      Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi believes Mykhaylo Mudryk could win the Ballon d’OrCredit: Getty
      De Zerbi coached Mudryk at Shakhtar Donetsk before the outbreak of war in UkraineCredit: Getty
      And ahead of facing the Gunners on Saturday, the Italian has made a bold prediction about his former player.
      De Zerbi said: “I think Mudryk can win the Ballon d’Or in the future.
      “[It is] a very important transfer and I know the value of Mudryk and he has the potential to win the Ballon d’Or.
      “Mudryk is a fantastic player but Brighton can’t buy him.
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      “All my ex-players I like but I am Brighton coach and Brighton can’t buy him.”
      Mudryk, 21, made 19 appearances under De Zerbi for the Ukrainian club, scoring twice and laying on nine assists.
      The Gunners have seen their opening bid of £35million, plus another £17.5m in add-ons, knocked back by Shakhtar.
      Shakhtar chiefs have admitted that talks are continuing over a deal for Arsenal’s No1 target.
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      However, Mikel Arteta may have to push the boat out with the asking price still firm at around £85m.
      Shakhtar sporting director Darijo Srna has even claimed that it could take the same £100m fee Manchester City paid for Jack Grealish to agree a deal, though the Gunners are hopeful of a much lower agreement. More

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      Fans divided as ‘Super Ballon d’Or’ rankings revealed with Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo GOAT debate finally settled

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      SUPPORTERS have been left torn after a fan created and revealed “Super Ballon d’Or” rankings for the last 32 years.The accolade has only ever been given out once in the history of the game.
      Lionel Messi has come top of a new list ranking the ‘Super Ballon d’Or’Credit: Getty
      The list will also settle the GOAT debate between Messi and Cristiano RonaldoCredit: AP
      Real Madrid legend Alfredo Di Stefano received it in 1989 to mark the 30th anniversary of France Football magazine.
      It was that outlet that announced the winner, which only players from Europe were eligible to win.
      Argentinian Di Stefano qualified through his Spanish citizenship and pipped Dutch icon Johan Cruyff and French star Michel Platini to the prize.
      A host of footy fans have been calling for the gong to return in order to celebrate the greats and achievements of players from the current era.
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      That has led to Reddit user @mkx696969x calculating how the list might look based purely on Ballon d’Or performances from 1990 onwards.
      And if his calculations are correct, then it surely puts the GOAT debate between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to bed for good.
      Messi, who finally got his hands on the World Cup this month, has won the Ballon d’Or a record seven times compared to Ronaldo’s five.
      And therefore it should come as no surprise to see the Argentina talisman top the list – with a host of surprise names making the top 30.
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      The rankings were decided on how players have placed in the Ballon d’Or votes over the past three decades.
      However, while the Messi and Ronaldo debate was the main topic, it was the placing of other icons that also got people talking.
      Brazilian legend Ronaldo came in behind the above two, leading to one person commenting: “R9 being 3rd shows just how much better he would have been than everyone else without the injuries.”
      Another wrote: “Mane has no business being on this list, Beckham next to Buffon what a joke.”
      A fellow fan commented: “Shevchenko was a monster one of the greatest 9’s ever seen. Ronaldinho top 10 despite everyone saying his prime lasted 2 years.”
      While another said: “From a quick glimpse, Suarez at #30 is probably the most controversial for me.”
      Here’s the list in full: More

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      ‘If Lionel Messi wins the Ballon d’Or, I’ll quit football’ – Cristiano Ronaldo’s shock statement on arch rival revealed

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO shockingly claimed he would “quit football” if rival Lionel Messi won the 2019 Ballon d’Or, it has been revealed.A biography of the Portuguese superstar, 37, was released on Wednesday.
      Ronaldo sensationally claimed he would quit football if Messi won the 2019 Ballon d’OrCredit: Getty
      Messi did end up winning his sixth Ballon d’Or in 2019Credit: AFP or licensors
      And when the author, Thierry Marchand, sat down with Ronaldo in 2019 to formulate ideas for the book, he was mainly concerned with the five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s childhood, his family and his friends.
      But Ronaldo ended up letting slip some words referencing Messi, slamming him for spending his entire career at Barcelona shortly after he had left Real Madrid for Juventus.
      The biography, reported by L’Equipe, sees Ronaldo say: “It’s easy to stay in your bubble when you’re successful.
      “I took a risk coming to Turin. I changed clubs, championships, football culture, I took a risk and it was that risk that, I’m sure, made me not win the Ballon d’Or in 2018.”
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      He then went on to add: “If Messi wins the Ballon d’Or this year, I’m leaving football.”
      Messi did win the Ballon d’Or in 2019, narrowly edging out Liverpool centre-back Virgil van Dijk.
      Ronaldo finished third as his Argentine rival claimed a sixth Ballon d’Or.
      Two years after Ronaldo’s criticism, Messi would then leave the Nou Camp in 2021 to join Paris Saint-Germain.
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      And a few months later, Messi would scoop a seventh Ballon d’Or following a superb final season with Barcelona and Copa America triumph with Argentina.
      Meanwhile, Ronaldo has not won the award since he was a Real Madrid player back in 2017.
      But he did not end up hanging up his boots as he claimed he would if Messi won the 2019 Ballon d’Or.
      Instead, he departed Juventus for a return to Manchester United last year.
      And he scored 24 goals in his first season back in England, compared with Messi’s 11 for PSG.
      However, roles have reversed in the current campaign, with Messi contributing 12 goals and 14 assists, compared with Ronaldo’s three goals and two assists.
      Last season, Messi was asked about criticism Ronaldo was receiving, but the South American refused to attack his old foe.
      He said: “Manchester United are a very strong team with great players.
      “Cristiano already knew the club, but that was in another stage and now he has adapted in an impressive way.
      “From the beginning, he has always scored goals and had no problems adapting.
      “In the Premier League, Manchester United are not as good as we all thought, but it is a very difficult and even competition in which things take a lot of turns.
      “After December it changes a lot and anything can happen.
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      “It’s been a long time since we stopped competing in the same league. We competed individually and as a team for the same goals.
      “It was a very beautiful period for us and also for the fans because they enjoyed it very much. It is a beautiful memory that will remain in the history of football.”
      Ronaldo won his fifth Ballon d’Or back in 2017Credit: AFP or licensors
      Ronaldo and Messi have been rivals for well over a decadeCredit: Getty More