Lionel Messi vs Louis Vuitton? Luxury ‘trunks’ for 2023 Ballon d’Or revealed as Inter Miami superstar looks to pip Man City striker Erling Haaland to eighth Golden Ball

The 2023 Golden Ball ceremony will take place in the French capital on October 30. Inter Miami and Argentina superstar Messi is the favourite to get his hands on a prize that he has collected on seven previous occasions – with the all-time great set to be recognised as the best player on the planet once again.

Messi is poised to pip Manchester City striker Erling Haaland to the most prestigious of individual accolades, with the South American being rewarded for his inspirational efforts at the 2022 World Cup – as he guided Argentina to a long-awaited global crown.

The Ballon d’Or trophy will be heading to Paris in a case designed by luxury fashion house Louis Vuitton. WWD report that the trunk is “crafted in the historical Louis Vuitton ateliers in Asnieres” and features “the house’s signature monogram canvas, and the V motif on the outside is painted in gold, in a first for its trophy trunk designs”.

The French designers consider the Ballon d’Or casing to be “further proof that Victory Travels in Vuitton”, with their famous trunks having already housed trophies for the Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix, the NBA, America’s Cup, the FIFA World Cup, the Roland-Garros tennis tournament and esport ‘League of Legends’ World Championship. The Ballon d’Or Feminin, which was won by Barcelona star Alexia Putellas in 2022, will be given similar treatment.