Reports: revealing the identity of the 2023 Ballon d’Or winner

The French "Football France" network revealed the identity of the winner of the 2023 Ballon d'Or, which will be announced at the end of this month.

The French magazine France Football announced the long list of 30 players among the candidates to win this prestigious award for the best player in the world for the year 2023, with the winner of the award being revealed in a huge ceremony organized by the magazine at the end of October 2023.

According to the "France Football" network, the "France Football" magazine informed Messi that he is the actual Ballon d'Or winner.

The report explained that journalists from the magazine traveled to America, specifically to the state of Miami, in order to conduct the traditional press interview with the award winner.

This will be the eighth time that Messi has won the Ballon d'Or, and the first since 2021, noting that Frenchman Karim Benzema was the last to win the Ballon d'Or in last year's edition.

The announcement of Messi winning the Ballon d'Or will not come as a surprise, as a result of Argentina's victory in the World Cup in Qatar, as the world title is considered enough to overcome the bad season he had with his former French club, Paris Saint-Germain.

The 2023 Ballon d'Or ceremony is scheduled to be held on October 30 in Paris.

Famous boxer Amir Khan criticizes the international silence towards Gaza

British boxer Amir Khan joined the list of players in solidarity with the Palestinian cause, with an influential message in which he criticized the international silence regarding what is happening in Palestine and the Gaza Strip.

The famous British boxing champion wrote on his official account on the “X” platform: “Throughout my career, my goal has been to become a champion and to use my fame and influence to make a positive change in the world. I have never been afraid to express my opinion and stand up to criminals.”

He added: " The world is watching what is happening in Palestine. I see many of my colleagues and friends silent. Why?"

He continued: "It has become clear that people are afraid to show their support for Palestine. Palestinian lives are important. The world will remember those who spoke and those who did not, and God will remember those who remained silent while the blood of innocent Muslims was shed."

He concluded his message with the Qur’anic verse: “Whoever kills a soul unless for manslaughter or for corruption on earth, it is as if he killed all of mankind, and whoever saves a life, it is as if he saved all of mankind.”

The Gaza Strip has been subjected to Israeli land, sea and air bombardment since Hamas and other Palestinian factions launched Operation “Al-Aqsa Flood” on October 7.

The "Al-Aqsa Flood" was met with the Israeli "Iron Swords" operation, where the Israeli army launches raids on the Gaza Strip, which is inhabited by more than two million Palestinians who suffer from deteriorating living conditions as a result of an ongoing Israeli siege since 2006. The death toll from the Israeli bombing reached 2,808 dead and about 11,000.

One wounded in the Gaza Strip, 61 dead, and more than 1,250 wounded in the West Bank. On the Israeli side, more than 1,300 people were killed, including 291 officers and soldiers, while Hamas captured more than 120 Israelis.

Messi drops Ronaldo from the marketing throne to 27th place

Argentine soccer star Lionel Messi topped the list of the most marketable athletes in the world, according to a study conducted by Sports Pro Media, while Ronaldo fell significantly.

Messi left Europe during the last summer transfer period to join Inter Miami, and it seems that this move did not affect his popularity and marketing power.

The sportspromedia website stated that the Argentine football legend was chosen as the most marketable athlete in the world for the year 2023, with the current Inter Miami striker topping the list of the 50 best athletes in the world for the second time, ahead of his traditional rival Ronaldo, the Saudi Al-Nasr striker, who unexpectedly fell to 27th place. Despite topping the list last year.

NBA star LeBron James came in second place after Messi.

According to the study, Messi is one of only 4 football stars in the top ten, with Megan Rabiot and Alex Morgan from women's football, while Paris Saint-Germain striker Kylian Mbappe moved from tenth to ninth place.

As for Englishman Harry Kane, he ranked No. 22 in the rankings after moving to the German ranks of Bayern Munich during the Mercato period last winter.

The rankings, conducted by NorthStar Soultions Group, were conducted using a methodology based on evaluating athletes according to the strength of the brand and the markets they deal with.

The top ten list of the world's most marketable athletes for the year 2023:

1- Lionel Messi

2- LeBron James

3- Alex Morgan

4- Giannis Antetokounmpo

5- Megan Rapinoe 6-

Mikaela Shiffrin

7- Lewis Hamilton

8- Simone Biles

9- Kylian Mbappe

10- Max Verstappen.