Messi And Bonmati Favorites To Win Ballon D’Or Awards

PARIS, France – Lionel Messi is the favorite to win his ninth Ballon d’Or on Monday.

The Argentine legend realized a lifelong dream by leading his team to the World Cup victory in Qatar last year, capturing the one big prize that had eluded him during his illustrious career.

Aitana Bonmati of Spain is the favorite for the women’s award, leading her team to victory in the Women’s World Cup in August.

Messi has already won his first silverware in the United States after joining Inter Miami. He inspired the squad to triumph in the United States League Cup.

Despite leaving top-tier European football behind, he is still projected to defeat Manchester City forward Erling Haaland for the sport’s most prestigious individual trophy.

Paris Saint-Germain and France forward Kylian Mbappe is also a contender to succeed Karim Benzema, who, at 34, became the oldest champion since Stanley Matthews in 1956.

Mbappe had a hat trick in the World Cup final, but France lost on penalties.

Lionel Messi is the favorite to win his ninth Ballon d’Or on Monday.

Last season, Haaland led City to a quadruple of titles—the Champions League, the English Premier League, and the FA Cup — while scoring 52 goals.

Messi received his first Ballon d’Or in 2009 and will receive his seventh in 2021.

The event is set to begin at 1930 GMT.

Bonmati was named UEFA’s best women’s player and received the Golden Ball for the best Women’s World Cup player. At the competition, she scored three times and assisted twice.

Last year, France Football magazine presented a trophy that was based on the accomplishments of the previous season for the first time. Previously, it was given based on performance throughout a calendar year.

The women’s award was created in 2018, and both were canceled because of the pandemic in 2020.

SOURCE – (AP)