Fans Predict Messi to Win 8th Ballon d’Or After Scoring Wonder Goal on PSG Return

• Lionel Messi's supporters are already predicting the 2022 World Cup winner will win his eighth Ballon d’Or award in 2023
• Messi returned to action for Paris Saint-Germain for the first time since the 2022 FIFA World Cup and scored in his first game back
• The Argentina captain doubled PSG’s lead against Angers on Wednesday, January 11 to help the Parisians to a 2-0 victory

Lionel Messi looks on course to win his eighth Ballon d’Or award after another remarkable performance in his first game back for Paris Saint-Germain.

The 35-year-old forward who had been on break since winning the 2022 FIFA World Cup, scored a remarkable goal on his first game back for the Ligue 1 champions.

According to Sportskeeda, Messi’s remarkable show against Angers has now propelled many football fans around the world predicting that he is on his way to winning his eighth Ballon d’Or title.

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“Just give him the 8th ballon d'or he deserves it” Diego Costa @042Muna tweeted

“Lion of the tribe of football... 8th balon d'or loading” Alfred Lagos @LagosAlfred also tweeted

Messi will be looking to reclaim the Ballon d’Or after missing out on the award in 2022.

Messi guides Paris Saint-Germain to victory

Meanwhile, Lionel Messi scored in Paris Saint-2-0 Germain's victory over Angers in Ligue 1 on his first outing since helping Argentina to victory in the World Cup in Qatar, Punch reports.

Hugo Ektike opened the scoring for the Parisians in the fifth minute of the game before Messi wrapped all three points in the 72nd minute with a sleek strike.

The victory saw PSG go six points clear at the top of the French standings, three and a half weeks after he led Argentina to their World Cup final victory over France in Qatar on penalties.

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Messi leads PSG stars to honour Pele

Earlier, Sports Brief reported Lionel Messi and Neymar Junior led PSG's playing body in paying their last respect to the departed Brazilian football icon, Pele.

Born Edson Arantes do Nascimento, Pele - football's first globally recognized superstar - passed away on December 29 last year after a long battle with cancer.

His death left a huge scar in the hearts of the global football landscape, with glowing tributes from near and far pouring in for the three-time World Cup winner.