Lionel Messi and the Argentina team won their third World Cup championship in Qatar, and also won the Ligue 1 championship with PGS in the 2022-23 season. He has had 7 Golden Balls in his career and continues to be considered a bright candidate for this award this year.

Midfielder Rodri has admitted that Messi is the top candidate for the 2023 Golden Ball, even though his teammate Erling Haaland scored 52 goals to help Man City win a historic treble in his first season with The Blues. Citizens.

“I think maybe Leo Messi will win this award. Haaland is also an excellent figure and a great contributor,” the Man City star said in an interview with COPE.

Rodri is considered the best midfielder in the world at the moment, and is an irreplaceable player for Man City in their journey to winning three titles. He is also on the nomination list for the 2023 Golden Ball, but does not have much hope of winning because he does not receive as much media attention as his teammate.

“I know it’s an individual award that requires a lot of big-name media activities. Of course, among the players I compete with, I lack favor in the media, just like Xavi and Iniesta. I think more about the things I can control, which are collective awards.”

If Messi continues to win the 2023 Golden Ball, he will set a unique record by becoming the first player to win this individual award while playing for a club outside of Europe. He joined MLS side Inter Miami in the summer and won the Leagues Cup with them, but could not help the club earn an MLS playoff spot.