The 2023 Ballon d’Or will be the 67th annual ceremony of the Ballon d’Or, presented by France Football. The nominees for various categories (including the Ballon d’Or, Ballon d’Or Féminin, Kopa Trophy, Yashin Trophy and Gerd Müller Trophy) will be revealed on September 6. The Ballon d’Or ceremony taking place on October 30, 2023.
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Karim Benzema was crowned the Ballon d’Or winner last year for the first time in his career. The Real Madrid star came to prove that anyone can reach this glory due to hard work and patience. Will Lionel Messi be adding an unbelievable 8th Ballon d’Or to his collection this year? He leads his country Argentina to the World Cup Triumph. Erling Haaland is also a close contender for the 2023 Ballon d’Or as he made a huge impact in City’s first-ever Champions League title.
Erling Haaland
The beast striker managed to get media attention as he secured a Champions League trophy with Manchester City. His 2022/23 campaign with City was full of individual achievements as he became the top goalscorer both in the Premier League and in the Champions League. Erling Haaland deserves the Ballon d’Or this year. He won the Premier League, FA Cup and most important the Champions League. He won the EPL Player Of The Year, EPL Young Player Of The Year, EPL Golden Boot, European Golden Boot and UCL Top Scorer award.
Rodri
One of the best holding midfielder in the world right now. Rodri may earn the golden ball honour. He is a consistent performer for City throughout the season. He scored the only winning goal for City in the Champions League finals. He won the Nations League, Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup. He is the Champions League Player of the Tournament and the Nations League Player of the Tournament.
Kylian Mbappe
Kylian Mbappé is expected to sign for Real Madrid this summer. Kylian Mbappé’s PSG story is over. He has a price now; €200M + €50M in bonuses. The €50M bonus can only be activated if Mbappé wins the Ballon d’Or in a Real Madrid jersey. He has scored over 50 goals for club and country and won the Golden Boot at the World Cup after scoring a hat-trick in the final. Mbappe, “Do I deserve the Ballon d’Or? With the new criteria, what counts? Catching the eye, scoring goals and making an impact? I think I fit those criteria. I’d say yes [I deserve to win the Ballon d’Or], but it’s the people who vote and I’m always optimistic.”
Kevin De Bruyne
De Bruyne is so underrated, he should be among the all-time greats to ever play the beautiful game of football. A pure magician and such a joy to watch, a career like he deserved a Ballon d’Or. He has scored 10 goals and provided a mind-blowing 32 assists in the 2022-23 season.
Lionel Messi
One of the most successful players in football history. The all-time top scorer for Argentina. The all-time top scorer for Barcelona. The all-time top scorer in Europe’s top five leagues. The world record holder for most goals (91) scored in a calendar year. The only player to win the European Golden Boot record six times. The only player to win the Ballon d’Or unbelievably seven times. Messi won the World Cup, Ligue 1 and French Cup. Messi won the Laureus Sportsman Of The Year, FIFA the Best, WC Golden Ball, French Cup Player Of The Season, Iffhs Best Player, Iffhs Best Playmaker, Iffhs Best International Goalscorer, AIPS Best Male Athlete, Guardian Best Player, L’Equipe Best Player Of The Year and BBC World Sport of The Year.
Honourable mentions
Julian Alvarez
Julian Alvarez deserves the Ballon d’Or this year. He won the Fifa World Cup, Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League in the 2022/23 season. Álvarez completes football at the age of 23. He won the World Cup, Copa America and Finalissima with Argentina’s national team. With River Plate, he won Argentine Primera, Copa Libertadores, Copa Argentina, Supercopa Argentina, Trofeo de Campeones and Recopa Sudamericana. He won the Treble Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup with Manchester City. Julián Álvarez becomes the first player to win the Treble and the World Cup in the same season.
Ilkay Gundogan
Gundogan has a way of turning into prime Zidane at the end of every season. Ilkay Gündogan is one of the most underrated players of the last decade. Always delivering when pressure is high and top performances are needed. He is reportedly close to signing a contract with Barcelona. Gundogan is the first signing of Pep Guardiola as a City manager. He scored a brace at Wembley and won the FA Cup final against rival Manchester United.