Ex-Chelsea defender declares Messi’s 8th Ballon d’Or would be a disgrace

With Lionel Messi the most likely candidate to clinch the 2023 Ballon d’Or, former Chelsea defender Jason Cundy has declared that an eighth award for the Argentine would be a disgrace. 

Cundy represented Chelsea 41 times in the Premier League before moving on to Tottenham, Ipswich, and Portsmouth. 

The ex-England international youth international was speaking on talkSPORT, when he expressed his opinion that Messi did not deserve to win the 2023 Ballon d’Or despite his starring role in Argentina winning the 2022 World Cup. 

Cundy instead believes that Manchester City star Erling Haaland should be the recipient of the award after his stunning 2022/23 performance with the Cityzens. 

The ex-Blue was heavily critical about the potential award for Messi, saying, “I think if Haaland doesn't win it [the Ballon d'Or], it's a disgrace. I think it's a disgrace; Messi will win it because he won the World Cup.”

Messi and Haaland, alongside Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe, are considered the favourites for the award, with the award ceremony billed for the end of October. 

The Argentine legend is chasing a record-extending eighth Ballon d’Or award, and even though early reports suggest the Inter Miami forward is a sure shot for the title, he faces strong competition from some of the best players from the last year of football.