For the Ballon d'Or? Lionel Messi has shaved his beard in recent training photos

Lionel Messi surprised the world with a curious decision and on Twitter a theory about the Ballon d'Or was born

The Florida players began preparing for the next MLS match, but a detail in the world champion stole all the attention.

Inter Miami wants to leave behind the tough 5-2 loss to Atlanta United for the 28th round of MLS, where it did not have the participation of Lionel Messi by decision of coach Gerardo Martino.

The pink team seeks to turn the page in the next match, against Toronto FC. In his first training sessions after his absence, Leo surprised everyone.

"Back to the lab preparing for Wednesday," Inter's official account wrote alongside photos of Facundo Farias, Josef Martinez and Messi. But the image of Leo took all eyes because there was a great change in him that did not go unnoticed.

The photograph in question revealed that Messi decided to change his look in the face of the upcoming matches with Inter and the Argentine National Team. Although in the comments of the publication they began to suspect that he shaved because he has an award ahead and the next ceremony is the Golden Ball, which will be held on October 30 of this year.

One user collected photos of the seven times Messi won the award and in all of them the world champion did not have a beard because he had shaved for the awards ceremony.

When the Ballon d'Or 2023 is awarded: day, place and the Argentine nominees

The award given by France Football magazine will have a ceremony that will be held on Monday, October 30 at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. There the best player of the 2022-23 season will be known.

Lionel Messi's demanding schedule with Inter Miami

Wednesday 20/9 Inter Miami vs Toronto (MLS)

Saturday 9/24: Orlando City vs Inter Miami (MLS)

Wednesday 27/9 Inter Miami vs Dynamo (US Open Cup Final)

Saturday 9/30: Inter Miami vs New York FC (MLS)