neptuxe Manchester City midfielder Rodri overlooks team-mate Erling Haaland, believing Lionel Messi will be able to win his eighth Ballon d’Or award. neptuxe

Messi led the Argentina national team to their third World Cup title in Qatar last year and also helped Paris Saint-Germain. Won the Ligue 1 championship for the second time last season as well. ( neptuxe )

The 36-year-old striker has won the Ballon d’Or seven times and is in contention to win his eighth award, which will be announced in Paris on October 30.

Rodri believes the Inter Miami striker is the favorite to win the Ballon d’Or, even though Haaland scored 52 goals and helped City win the treble in his first season at the Etihad Stadium.

“I think Leo Messi will win the Ballon d’Or, Haaland scores a lot and has good performances as well,” Rodri told COPE.

Rodri is among the 30 players nominated for the 2023 Ballon d’Or, but he is not expected to win the award because he is not very popular with the public.

“I know it’s a personal award with a lot of marketing. Of course, I don’t have the marketability of Xavi and Iniesta. I’m only concerned with what I can control, which is the collective prize,” added the Spain midfielder.