Lionel Messi is odds on to win the Ballon d'Or 2023 after inspiring Argentina to their third World Cup triumph in Qatar.
The PSG superstar, 35, is 17/20 to follow Karim Benzema as the next winner of the Ballon d'Or, presented to the world's best player from the previous season.
This is a recent change to the award which makes Messi all the more likely to win it in 2023. Previously, it had been determined from performances in the calendar year.
Messi's seventh and most recent Ballon d'Or win in 2021 was shrouded in controversy, as he beat Robert Lewandowski (12/1 for 2023) to the top prize despite winning just the Copa del Rey in the previous season with Barcelona.
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Qatar Golden Boot winner Kylian Mbappe, the first man to score a World Cup final hat-trick since Geoff Hurst in 1966, is second favourite for the award behind club teammate Messi at 2/1.
Erling Haaland, meanwhile, is arguably the value pick at 4/1 having made an explosive start to his time at Manchester City. The 22-year-old, whose Norway side failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup, has scored 18 times in his first 13 Premier League appearances.
The third and final member of PSG's all-star front three, Neymar, can be backed at 7/1 to win the award next October. The 30-year-old controversially held himself back to fifth and final penalty taker for Brazil against Croatia, by which time the shootout had already been lost.
Rounding out the top five is Benzema and Kevin de Bruyne (both 8/1). City's de Bruyne failed to shine as Belgium, ranked number two going into the tournament, exited the World Cup at the group stage, while Benzema missed out altogether with a thigh injury.
2023 Ballon d'Or Odds:
| Name | Price |
|---|---|
| Lionel Messi | 17/20 |
| Kylian Mbappe | 2/1 |
| Erling Haaland | 4/1 |
| Neymar | 7/1 |
| Kevin de Bruyne | 8/1 |
| Karim Benzema | 8/1 |
Messi's Argentina are fourth favourites to retain their World Cup crown in 2026 at a best price 10/1.
Once again, Brazil are the favourites for the tournament despite crashing out at the quarter-final stage in Qatar against 3rd place finishers Croatia.
Beaten finalists France can be backed at 7/1 (worst price 5/1). Mbappe, the first man to score a World Cup final hat-trick since Geoff Hurst in 1966, will be 27 when the tournament returns.
England are third favourites at a best price of 9/1 (7/1 with one bookmaker). The bookies obviously believe that the Three Lions' latest 'golden generation' including Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden is geared up to peak in Canada, Mexico and the US.
