Speaking of the likely Ballon d’or 2023 winner, Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez says Lionel Messi will clinch his eighth triumph next month in Paris, France.
The 36-year old did not have a great season with PSG on a collective point of view as they won the Ligue 1 title in the very end of the league and were knocked out in UEFA Champions league last 16 round by Bayern Munich.
However, Lionel Messi managed to score 16 goals and provided 16 assists.
But the 2022 World Cup triumph in Qatar is the real argument he has in winning the Ballon d’or this year and Emiliano Martinez has no doubt about it even if Erling Haaland is also a serious contender.
“We all know who’s gonna win the ballon dor, my mate Messi”, he told reporters after Villas’ 3-1 win over Crystal Palace in the Premier League.
As a reminder, Ballon d’or 2023 ceremony will take place on October 30 at Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris.