Piers Morgan Claims Ballon d'Or Was 'Rigged' for Messi, Names Who Should Have Won Instead

• Piers Morgan has claimed Lionel Messi should not have won the 2023 Ballon d'Or award
• Messi won his eighth accolade on October 30, beating Manchester City's Erling Haaland
• Morgan believes the Argentine is not deserving and stated who he feels should have won

British TV personality, Piers Morgan has joined those voicing their criticism of Lionel Messi's historic eighth Ballon d'Or victory.

The Argentine's record-breaking win in Paris on Monday evening has now placed him three awards ahead of the Al-Nassr striker.

This latest accolade for Messi widens the gap between the two football icons and appears to settle the debate about who holds the title of the greatest of their generation.

Ronaldo takes apparent dig at Messi

The Portugal captain seemingly poked fun at the Argentine maestro's record-extending eighth Ballon d'Or triumph on social media earlier in the week.

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Journalist, Tomas Roncero posted a video for AS Television on Instagram, suggesting Messi should only have five award wins - the same as Ronaldo.

The Al-Nassr star seemed to agree by replying with four 'crying with laughter' emojis, which was seen as a method of shading his perceived GOAT rival.

Morgan criticises Messi's Ballon d'Or win

Morgan, who is closely associated with Ronaldo and has defended him fiercely in the past, has taken a harsher stance than Ronaldo's subtle dig.

The outspoken British broadcaster took to social media on Tuesday to assert that the Ballon d'Or selection process was 'rigged' in favour of Messi.

He contended the award should have been given to Manchester City forward, Erling Haaland instead, calling the Argentine's win 'preposterous'.

"Messi preposterously winning the Ballon d’Or this year is yet more proof that the whole ‘Golden Ball’ system is rigged. He should have won 2 fewer, [Ronaldo] should have won 2 more, and Haaland should have won this year. End."

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Why Messi did not deserve Ballon d'Or

This year, Messi won the coveted award for an unprecedented eighth time at the gala on October 30.

However, it is worth noting there are dissenting voices who contend the Argentinian did not merit this.

Sports Brief has looked at 4 reasons why some argue Messi did not deserve the Ballon d'Or this year.