Lionel Messi Favored to Win Ballon d'Or After World Cup Triumph

Football experts say Argentine forward Lionel Messi has a strong chance of capturing the Ballon d'Or if Argentina wins the World Cup and he finishes as top scorer. The award, presented by France Football, historically favours performances in a World Cup year, with past winners often having starred in the tournament final. Analysts note that while England's Harry Kane leads current rankings, Messi is projected to move to second place and could overtake Kane should Argentina claim the title.

Commentators also discuss the impact of Messi’s club career in the U.S. Major League Soccer, noting that the league’s lower weight with Ballon d'Or journalists could affect his standing, but a World Cup‑year performance is expected to outweigh those concerns.