Ronaldo: Lionel Messi deserves the 2023 Ballon d'Or

Lionel Messi is one of the candidates to win the 2023 Ballon d'Or. Ronaldo emphasized that Messi is very worthy of adding to his Ballon d'Or collection.

Lionel Messi's success in bringing Argentina to victory at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar is thought to be the biggest factor in his success as a candidate to win the 2023 Ballon d'Or.

Brazilian legend Ronaldo Luis Nazario also emphasized that Argentina's success in the World Cup was worthy of Lionel Messi being awarded the 2023 Ballon d'Or.

"There is no doubt, the Ballon d'Or must go to him," Ronaldo told TNT Sports as reported by Sportskeeda.

"What Messi did at the World Cup was really special. It reminded me of the achievements of Pele and Maradona," added the two-time Ballon d'Or winner.

Apart from winning the 2022 World Cup with Argentina, last season Messi was also part of the Paris Saint-Germain squad which won the French Super Cup and Ligue 1. He finished last season with 21 goals and 20 assists from 41 PSG matches.

However, in the 2023 Ballon d'Or there is also the name Erling Haaland, who appeared brilliant last season with 52 goals in 53 matches in all competitions and helped Manchester City win the treble.  Haaland is predicted to be a tough competitor for Messi to win the 2023 Ballon d'Or.

 Lionel Messi himself has now collected 7 Ballon d'Or, a record.  With his age being 36 years, quite a few predict that this year will be La Pulga's last opportunity to add to his collection.