Ballon D’or: 5 Big Football Names that Have Tipped Messi to Win 8th Accolade and What They Said

• Lionel Messi is eyeing an eighth Ballon d’Or on October 30
• The Argentine comes up against Erling Haaland, who had a stellar debut season with Manchester City
• Several big names in football have already backed Messi to beat his Norwegian counterpart

As the 2023 Ballon d’Or award ceremony draws nearer, there is an increasing feeling that Lionel Messi is set to make history with a record-extending eighth accolade.

With 30 of the best football players in the world up for the prize, only one can emerge on top to win football’s most prestigious individual accolade.

As it stands, Messi is a strong favourite to clinch the award, thanks to his heroics at the Qatar World Cup.

Free-scoring Manchester City striker, Erling Haaland also had an impressive debut season with the club, but it looks like, despite scoring a staggering 52 goals in 53 matches, the mighty Norwegian will not beat Messi, at least not this year.

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How Ballon d’Or winner is selected

A number of factors come into play when determining the winner of the Ballon d’Or, according to 90Min.

The winner is determined by 100 journalists from FIFA's 100 top-ranked member nations, who make their pick on the top five, and each ranking earns the player a different number of points. The player with the most points is inevitably the winner.

With this in mind, it is notable that a number of stakeholders in the world of football have made known their pick for their Ballon d’Or winner. For this list, we will focus on big names in football who have backed Messi to win an 8th accolade.

Rodri

When asked who he fancied for the Ballon d'Or, the Man City ace did not mince his words.

As cited by Sports Illustrated, the midfielder said:

"I think a certain Leo Messi is going to take it."

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Pep Guardiola

Guardiola had a very diplomatic answer when asked who he thought would win the Ballon d’Or, although he leaned towards Messi by claiming the Argentine should have a separate accolade from other football players.

"The Ballon d'Or has to be two sections. One for Messi, and after look for the others," the former Barcelona manager said.

Ronaldo Nazario

Ronaldo Nazario leaned towards Messi because he believes that what the Argentine achieved at the World Cup was ‘special’.

"It reminded me of the campaigns of Pelé and Maradona."

Norway manager Ståle Solbakken

Solbakken, despite managing Haaland on international level, backed Messi to win the Ballon d’Or, also citing the Argentine’s success as the key factor.

"If you ask me who I think will win, I would say Messi will win it because of the World Cup triumph. That always has an impact."

Antoine Griezmann

Griezmann, who played alongside Messi briefly at Barcelona, had a witty response when asked about his pick for the Ballon d’Or. But his answer revolved around none other than Messi.

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“Haaland or Messi for the Ballon d’Or? Me,” Griezmann said. “I should win it. You forgot that I am nominated too … If not me, then Messi or Mbappé. Haaland had a great season, but it’s a World Cup year, you know?” he said, as cited by Barca Insider.

Other notable names that have backed Messi include Javier Zanetti, Javier Saviola, Robbie Savage, Gabby Agbonlahor, and Darren Bent.

Ballon d’Or announces criteria for winner

Sports Brief also reported on the Ballon d’Or’s recent revelation of the body’s criteria for selecting the overall winner.

The jury will deliberate on who had a better individual performance in the 2022/2023 season. Haaland's 52 goals in 53 appearances give him a head start as far as individual performances are concerned.

A vital role on the pitch as well as fair play and show of class on the pitch will also be considered.