Lionel Messi favourite for Ballon d’Or after World Cup performance

Lionel Messi may not play in one of the best domestic competitions, but his performance at the World Cup has made him favourite to win the Ballon d’Or this year.

The Argentinian has raced ahead of rivals Kylian Mbappe and Harry Kane by reaching the final, with bookies and prediction markets shortening the odds on him claiming a record-extending ninth trophy for the game’s best player.

Spain’s Lamine Yamal could yet upset the 39-year-old’s apple cart though, with the teenager second favourite and in a position to deny Messi back-to-back World Cup titles.

Following Argentina’s semi-final win over England in Atlanta, no less than six sportsbooks were offering Evens, with other odds ranging from 11/10, 15/13 to 6/5 on Messi taking home the Ballon d’Or.

With Messi also leading the race for the World Cup golden boot, Mbappe and Kane’s chances have receded over the past several weeks, despite their performances in far better leagues in Europe than the American one in which their Inter Miami rival plies his trade.

Real Madrid striker Mbappe probably needed to triumph with France to have any real chance of winning, given his trophyless season at the Bernabeu.