Leaked Ballon d’Or Winners Revealed
Spanish sports newspaper Sport has unveiled the names of the male and female recipients of the prestigious Ballon d’Or awards.
The highly anticipated awards ceremony is scheduled for October 30 in Paris.
Messi Favored for Top Men’s Award
In the realm of men’s football, prominent players such as Erling Haaland, Jude Bellingham, and Kylian Mbappe were widely expected to challenge Lionel Messi for the Ballon d’Or.
Messi, who delivered exceptional performances, is set to secure the award for his pivotal role in Argentina’s World Cup victory in Qatar.
His contribution to the national team’s success is considered remarkable, making him the prime candidate for the accolade.
Historic Potential for Messi
Should Messi clinch the 2022 Ballon d’Or, he would achieve a historic milestone by becoming the first player based outside of Europe to receive this prestigious honor.
The Ballon d’Or, established in 1956, has traditionally been dominated by European-based players. Messi’s previous Ballon d’Or win occurred in 2021 after guiding Argentina to victory in the Copa America tournament.
Aitana Bonmati Tipped for Women’s Award
In the realm of women’s football, the recipient of the Ballon d’Or Feminin has also been disclosed in the report.
Among the 30-player longlist, six members of Spain’s World Cup-winning team have earned nominations. Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati, who earned the Golden Ball at the tournament held in Australia, is anticipated to claim the prestigious award.
Her exceptional performance during the World Cup solidified her status as a top contender for this accolade.