The stats behind Lionel Messi's impending Ballon d'Or win

 

Karim Benzema's 2022 Ballon d'Or win perhaps signalled the end of Lionel Messi's dominance of the individual award. The Frenchman was a worthy winner of the accolade last year and with Messi's career approaching their twilight years, it seemed time for the Argentine to step aside. 

 

Fast forward 12 months and Messi is on the cusp of winning his record-extending eighth Ballon d'Or if some reports are to be believed. While previously the exploits of a player over a calendar year were taken into account, since 2022, jurors have been instructed to take into account the previous season. This would go some way to explaining Messi's impending success. 

 

In 2023 Messi has achieved little of note. He played his role in PSG's title success and helped Inter Miami to the Leagues Cup back in August. Manchester City's treble winning side had more worthy winners if calendar year feats were taken into account, yet the change in the way jurors measure success means there can be few arguments about Messi winning his eighth Ballon d'Or. 

 

The key here is Argentina's World Cup success in November 2022. With Benzema's accolade confirmed ahead of Qatar 2022, it was only fair that jurors were requested to take into exploits of the previous campaign. Where a World Cup would usually be held in the summer, a season like no other meant football fans bore witness to a winter competition with Messi key in Argentina's eventual success at the expense of France. 

 

In Qatar, Messi earned a better WhoScored rating (8.25) than any other player as he ranked joint first for assists (3), second for goals (7), second for key passes (21) and third for successful dribbles (15). While the entire Argentina squad deserves credit for La Albiceleste's eventual success in the Middle East, Messi was the star as he captained Lionel Scaloni's side to a first World Cup since 1986. 

 

 

In terms of domestic duties with PSG, while some at the Parisian powerhouse celebrated Messi's eventual exit over the summer, the 36-year-old finished 2022/23 with a better WhoScored rating (8.28) and more player of the match awards (16) than any other player in Europe's top five leagues. While others accomplished more, notably the likes of Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne and Rodri for their respective roles in City's treble success, the World Cup is the pinnacle of any player's career, and this is a key reason why he stands head and shoulders above the Cityzens trio and others who may have felt they had a chance of securing individual glory. 

 

At his age and plying his trade in MLS, it'll take a miracle for Messi to build on his impending eighth award, becoming the first ever Ballon d'Or recipient to be playing their club football outside of Europe in the process. And while some may feel there are more deserving winners, it's impossible to overlook that success in Qatar last year with Messi set to be crowned the best in the game once more.

The stats behind Lionel Messi's impending Ballon d'Or win