Lionel Messi - my oh my - the Greatest Of All Time, certainly needs no introduction to football's hierarchy.
December 18th, 2022 - a day to remember for all football fans and all of Argentina in general - the little boy from Rosario clinched the trophy he has always wanted, the FIFA WORLD CUP.
After the 4-2 win on penalties against France, coming after a 3-3 thriller in normal time plus extra time, media outlet @oddschecker has named Lionel Messi as current favorite to win the 2023 Balon D'or.
Messi, already the record holder for the most precious individual award in football's history, will be looking to stretch his margin by one more as he haunts for his EIGHT!.
With an impressive 7 goals, and 3 assists at the just concluded World Cup, including scoring in every knockout game, most notable the brace in the finals against France, was enough to clinch him the Golden Ball award, for a record second time - no other player has won more Golden Balls.
At club level, he has recorded 17 goals and assists in 15 league games played for Paris Saint Germain including an impressive 4 goals and 4 assists in the UCL this season.
The UCL which is also an important yardstick in the chase for the Balon D'or, Messi would be looking to cop that as well.
Can he go all the way?