Before the presentation on October 30 in Paris, the shortlist for the most prestigious individual award in world football (Ballon d’or) has been made public.
The Golden Ball. Whether you love it or hate it, it is the prize that every football player in the world hopes to one day win. And now, following a noteworthy and original 2022–23 campaign, the 2023 Golden Ball shortlist of finalists has been revealed.
Karim Benzema won the award in 2022, but a number of other notable players are hoping to win it this year. Performances at both the club level and the 2022 World Cup were taken into consideration when choosing this year’s list of contenders.
Who are the favourites for the men’s Ballon d’Or 2023?
Who will win the award? Will Argentina’s victory in Qatar earn Lionel Messi the eighth Ballon d’Or? Will Erling Haaland’s record-breaking feats for treble-winners Manchester City be sufficient, or will they not? Could Vinicius Jr. or Kylian Mbappe muscle their way into the race?
Here are the players who have been shortlisted for football’s highest individual honor until the ceremony in Paris on Monday, October 30, but before then we have a couple of other contestants nominated for the Ballon d’or award 2023.
Get TikTok SEO Cheat here
These two are the biggest favorites according to the bookmakers, but Vinicius Junior, Kevin De Bruyne, Kylian Mbappe, and Rodri are also set to play a significant role.
Other names making headlines are Victor Osimhen (Napoli), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Luka Modric (Real Madrid), Kim Min-Jae (Bayern Munich), Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona), Lautaro Martinez (Inter), Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid), Rodri (Man City), Yassine Bounou (Al-Hilal), Julian Alvarez (Man City), Ilkay Gundogan (Barcelona), Martin Odegaard (Arsenal), Nicolo Barella (Inter), Ruben Dias (Man City), Emi Martinez (Aston Villa), Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Napoli), Bernardo Silva (Man City), Kevin De Bruyne (Man City), Randal Kolo Muani (PSG), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Mohamed Salah (Liverpool), Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich), Karim Benzema (Al-Ittihad), Andre Onana (Manchester United), and Josko Gvardiol (Manchester City)
Read also:
Arsenal vs Man United: Premier League result as Rice and Jesus score in stoppage time
UEFA Champions League group-stage draw
Who are the favourites for the women’s Ballon d’Or 2023?
The star of Barcelona and Spain Bonmati is much favored to win the prize that her countrywoman and teammate Alexia Putellas won the previous two years.
When Putellas was injured for the majority of the previous season, Bonmati took the lead by earning the Golden Ball as Spain won their first World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
Sam Kerr scored 29 goals for Chelsea last season as they won the domestic double before playing for the Matildas at their home World Cup. Georgia Stanway, meanwhile, may be in the running after contributing to England’s route to the final and title win with Bayern Munich, might also be considered.