There has been a lot of hype surrounding the Ballon d’Or awards set to take place this Monday. Reports suggest Lionel Messi will make history as he will lift the coveted title for the 8th time in his career. However, it seems like the French audience wants to see a different winner. Based on the numbers from a recent survey, French fans wish to see Kylian Mbappe lift the title ahead of Lionel Messi and a 52-goal striker.
The Ballon d’Or award ceremony will be hosted by the France Football Association this Monday at the Theatre du Chatelet. Messi is currently in pole position to win the award following his heroics in the World Cup last year. However, he will receive stiff competition from Erling Haaland, who had a record-breaking season after winning the treble with Manchester City.
Fans vote for Kylian Mbappe over Messi and Haaland
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
In a surprising turn of events, PSG ace Kylian Mbappe has surpassed Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland as the potential winner for the 2023 Ballon d’Or. According to a survey conducted by Odoxa for Winamax and RTL, Mbappe is miles ahead of the other two soccer stars. French media outlet Foot Mercato published the data from the results that saw Kylian Mbappe bag 46% of the votes.
Lionel Messi, who is the front-runner for the award, received just 12% of the votes. Meanwhile, Erling Haaland finished second on the survey with 19% of the total votes, adding mystery to the final announcement. However, it is essential to note that they took the votes from fans across Paris. Kylian Mbappe has a fine reputation in his home country, and it seems valid that the French fans would vote for their star man.
Similarly, Lionel Messi left PSG with a bitter taste as fans criticized him for not lifting the Champions League. The survey also added that every one of four people in France believes the Ballon d’Or is the leading individual award in soccer.
READ MORE: Not Ballon d’Or but Super Ballon d’Or is the Rarest Award in History, Awarded Just Once
Didier Drogba set to present Lionel Messi with the Ballon d’Or
The France Football Association is ready to take any steps necessary to make the upcoming Ballon d’Or ceremony a memorable event. The French FA posted a clip yesterday that saw Chelsea icon Didier Drogba talk about the event.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
🌟 Didier Drogba will give Lionel Messi his Ballon d’Or number 8.
It will happen on Monday in Paris.pic.twitter.com/8L5b38Q7r7
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 27, 2023
A delighted Drogba mentioned, “Good Afternoon, everyone. I’m Didier Drogba and I’m here in Paris. And on Monday we are going to present the 67th ceremony of the Ballon d’Or France Football. And we are going to talk about the last two World Cups. We’re also going to talk about the treble of Manchester City. Amazing individual performances both men’s and women’s football as well. So I see you on Monday.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
If Lionel Messi manages to lift the Ballon d’Or this Monday, he will become the first player in the history of the sport to win 8 Ballon d’Or awards in his career. Do you think Lionel Messi deserves the Ballon d’Or? Let us know in the comments below.
WATCH THIS STORY: From LeBron James, Patrick Mahomes to Serena Williams, Here are American Athletes who have Ownership in Soccer Teams