Lionel Messi favourite for Ballon d’Or after World Cup performance
En resumen
- Lionel Messi has become the favorite to win this year's Ballon d'Or, surpassing Kylian Mbappe and Harry Kane, following his strong performance and reaching the World Cup final.
- Spanish teenager Lamine Yamal is positioned as the second favorite and a potential challenger.
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Por qué importa
Lionel Messi's strong performance at the World Cup has made him the leading contender for the Ballon d'Or, with bookmakers shortening his odds.
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.
Qué observar
Perspectiva de IA — posibilidades, no hechos
Lionel Messi will win the Ballon d'Or.
Probable · En meses
Preguntas abiertas
- Who will ultimately win the Ballon d'Or?
- Will Lamine Yamal upset Messi's chances?
- Who will win the World Cup golden boot?
