World Cup winner, Lionel Messi has been tipped as the favourite to win the 2023 Ballon d’Or, going by the latest power rankings released for January.
The 35-year-old forward has been in sublime form for Paris Saint-Germain as well, having scored 13 goals and provided 14 assists in 21 appearances across all competitions.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner is ranked ahead of PSG teammates, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar Junior, who are ranked second and fifth respectively in the latest power rankings for the coveted awards.
Other players also in the top 10 include Manchester City’s Erling Haaland (third), Robert Lewandowski of Barcelona (fourth), Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior (sixth), and Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City (seventh).
Messi, who won the Golden Ball at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, scored seven goals and provided three assists as Argentina ended their 35-year wait to win the World Cup.
Meanwhile, the general secretary of the Saudi Football Federation, Ibrahim Alkassim has denied any knowledge about a rumoured deal to bring Messi to the Middle East country, Goal reports.
With the Argentine World Cup winner yet to sign a new contract at PSG, there were speculations he would join long-term rival, Cristiano Ronaldo in the Saudi top flight.
Al-Hilal has been reportedly linked with a move to sign the 2022 World Cup winner, having apparently proposed a deal worth more than the £246-million offered by Al-Nassr.