Erling Haaland of Manchester City is still the favorite to win the 2023 Ballon d’Or, despite the Citizens’ historic treble (Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League) success this season. Argentina captain Lionel Messi is still the favorite.
Messi recently revealed that he is leaving Paris Saint-Germain to sign as a free agent with Major League Soccer (MLS) team Inter Miami after winning back-to-back French Ligue 1 championships with the Parisians.
As the former Barcelona captain was named player of the tournament in Qatar last December, his season also included Argentina’s World Cup victory.
Due to his achievements, Messi is currently the favorite to win the 2023 Ballon d’Or.
The 35-year-old is an 8/15 favorite to win his eighth individual prestigious award, per Paddy Power.
The odds for Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne, who plays for Man City, to win the Ballon d’Or, which is presented later in the year, are 11/8 and 11/1, respectively, put Messi ahead of them.
Karim Benzema, the current Ballon d’Or winner, is listed after the top three contenders for the award this year and is given an odds of 80/1 to take home the trophy.
Here are the top six to win the Ballon d’Or award this year:
Lionel Messi 8/15
Erling Haaland 11/8
Kevin De Bruyne 11/1
Karim Benzema 80/1
Harry Kane 80/1
Kylian Mbappe 80/1