'Special day': Lionel Messi gets fresh haircut ahead of Ballon d'Or ceremony

Messi is returning to Paris with the goal of winning a record 8th Ballon d'Or award. After leading Argentina to victory in the World Cup 2022 in Qatar, he is among the favourites to take home the award. Erling Haaland of Manchester City, who led his side to the European and English treble, is set challenge him. Kylian Mbappe of Paris Saint-Germain is also in the reckoning.

3 things you need to know

• Lionel Messi has 7 Ballon d'Or awards to his name already
• Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has won the award 5 times.
• Messi is seen as the premier contender to take the title for the record 8th time

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Messi gets a new haircut before Ballon d'or ceremony

Before leaving for Paris on Monday to attend the Ballon d'Or presentation, Lionel Messi was spotted in Miami getting a new haircut. He is expected to win soccer's most coveted award for a record eighth time. With his hands in his pockets, the 36-year-old World Cup champion flaunted his new haircut as he took a selfie in Vice City with his barber, Luis Andres Rivera.

"Dropping the biggest Leo Messi off ready for tomorrow. Special day where in the name of God he will win his golden ball number 8," he wrote on Instagram. "Thank you Leo for always trusting in me and blessing me with making possibly the biggest cut of my career. WILL BE SEEN BY THE WORLD."

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Messi could become first player from MLS to win the Ballon d'Or

Messi will set yet another record by placing in the top three of the voting for the fourteenth time. He has won it while playing for Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and now it looks like he may win it while playing for Inter Miami, which would be the first time an MLS player has received this kind of honor.