Lionel Messi Edges Closer to Winning 8th Ballon d’Or Title As January Power Rankings Are Released

• PSG superstar Lionel Messi is well on his way to a record-bettering eighth Ballon d'Or crown
• The 2022 World Cup winner with Argentina is ranked as the favourite to win the 2023 award
• Messi scored seven goals and provided three assists in seven appearances at the World Cup

Lionel Messi has been tipped as the favourite to win the 2023 Ballon d’Or, going by the latest power rankings released for January.

The 35-year-old forward has been in sublime form for Paris Saint-Germain as well, having scored 13 goals and provided 14 assists in 21 appearances across all competitions.

The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner is ranked ahead of PSG teammates, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar Junior, who are ranked second and fifth respectively in the latest power rankings for the coveted awards, Sportskeeda reports.

Other players also in the top 10 include Manchester City’s Erling Haaland (third), Robert Lewandowski of Barcelona (fourth), Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior (sixth), and Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City (seventh).

PSG kicks against Messi showing off World Cup trophy at the Parc des Princes

Football

Messi, who won the Golden Ball at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, scored seven goals and provided three assists as Argentina ended their 35-year wait to win the World Cup.

Saudi chief denies Messi deal

Meanwhile, the general secretary of the Saudi Football Federation, Ibrahim Alkassim has denied any knowledge about a rumoured deal to bring Messi to the Middle East country, Goal reports.

With the Argentine World Cup winner yet to sign a new contract at PSG, there were speculations he would join long-term rival, Cristiano Ronaldo in the Saudi top flight.

Al-Hilal has been reportedly linked with a move to sign the 2022 World Cup winner, having apparently proposed a deal worth more than the £246-million offered by Al-Nassr.

How Messi's foot was immortalised

Messi offered whopping $300million to continue rivalry with Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia

Football

Earlier, Sports Brief reported on Messi having his left foot immortalised in a golden cast, on the back of winning his fourth Ballon d'Or prize in 2013.

The Argentine genius became the first player to win the coveted individual diadem on four occasions and it was only befitting his magic leg was eternalised.

In captivating footage shared on social media, the PSG superstar was filmed in good spirits while the cast of his left foot was taken.