Ballon d’Or 2023 season: Organizers contact Messi as winner of award is leaked

Lionel Messi,  the Inter Miami forward is expected to win his eighth Ballon d’Or later this month.

According to the UK Mirror, the winners for both the male and female awards for 2023 have been leaked.

Messi led Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar last year.

After missing out on the 2022 award to Karim Benzema, the organizers have informed Messi of his victory ahead of the ceremony taking place in Paris on Monday, October 30.

As for the female award, Catalan newspaper Sport claims Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati will be named the winner, having won the Women’s World Cup with Spain after beating England in August’s dramatic final.

Messi’s imminent triumph will see the Ballon d’Or awarded to someone who plays outside of Europe for the first time in history and take him three clear of eternal rival Cristiano Ronaldo.