Ballon d’Or 2023: Carragher Hints Messi Is Winner, Sends Message to Haaland

• Jamie Carragher may have confirmed Lionel Messi is the 2023 Ballon d'Or winner
• The former Liverpool legend sent a message to Manchester City striker Erling Haaland
• He claimed he felt robbed in 2005 when he won the Champions League but finished 20th

The speculation around Lionel Messi winning the 2023 Ballon d'Or is gathering pace, with English pundit Jamie Carragher appearing to confirm it during a UEFA Champions League coverage.

Messi's performance to help Argentina win their first World Cup in 36 years, the last piece of silverware to complete his illustrious trophy cabinet, has him competing for his 8th Ballon d'Or.

His rival for this year's award is Erling Haaland, who helped Manchester City to a historic treble in his first season in English football under Pep Guardiola.

Carragher hints Messi is Ballon d'Or winner

According to multiple reports in the media, Messi has been informed he is the winner of the 2023 edition, edging out the Norwegian striker and is set to be in Paris next week.

Lionel Messi, Ballon d'Or upload telling videos ahead of Erling Haaland 2023 duel

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Per Carragher's social media post, he uploaded a photo of himself and Micah Richards shielding a replica of the gong and captioned it, "keeping it safe for Messi".

Carragher sends message to Haaland

The former Liverpool defender finished 20th on the 2005 Ballon d'Or rankings after helping the club to the dramatic 2005 Champions League win over AC Milan in Istanbul.

In CBS Sports Golazo studio, he celebrated being reminded he finished in the same position as 20-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo.H

He threw in a bit of controversy by echoing fans' opinion that Haaland will be robbed if he doesn't win. He shared a post on X claiming the Norwegian would feel what he felt in 2005.

"I won the CL in 2005 like Haaland this season, he will rightly feel how I did then, robbed!!! #ChampionsLeague," he wrote.

Guardiola's comment on Ballon d'Or

Sports Brief reported Pep Guardiola's thoughts on Ballon d'Or race involving his current player Haaland and his beloved former Barcelona player Messi.

Guardiola did not directly make a pick, but fans made an insinuation out of his words that he wanted the 36-year-old to win by claiming the Argentine's worst season is the best for others.