Ballon d’Or 2023: Since 1956, the French news publication France Football has given out the Ballon d’Or annually to a football player. The award was temporarily amalgamated with the FIFA World Player of the Year (established in 1991) and called as the FIFA Ballon d’Or between 2010 and 2015 as per a contract with FIFA.
We have seen several legendary figures receive this coveted award over its long history after turning in mind-blowing performances for both teams and their respective nations during the course of the season. From Cristiano Ronaldo, who never seems to give up, to Lionel Messi, who has won it a record seven times, the competition for this prestigious award is usually close until the conclusion of the season.
Due to the recent World Cup, which has increased the prospects for some players to win the coveted award, the race for the 2022–2023 Ballon Dór is already looking good. So let’s take a look at the top five candidates heading into the second half of the campaign and who are currently leading the race:
5. Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium, Manchester City)
He is a key contributor for Pep Guardiola, who does the most of the work in getting the ball to Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez up front, having already contributed 15 assists and 3 goals in this season. The last time around, he came in third, and he’ll be aiming to use his skills once more to advance this time around by utilising them.
4. Vinicius Junior (Brazil, Real Madrid)
He has 11 goals and 9 assists thus far in the 2022–2023 season. He won the UEFA Super Cup with Real Madrid. He mostly plays as a left winger and has the burst of speed to easily slip past defences. He placed eighth in the 2021–2022 season, and we are more than eager to see him do the samba once more while wearing the Real Madrid uniform.
3. Erling Haaland (Norway, Manchester City)
He has scored 24 goals and contributed three assists in 19 games for Manchester City this season. He is a one-man wrecking ball that never seems to stop scoring goals, which makes him a threat to the defence. With players like Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva supporting him this time, his prospects of winning this accolade are stronger than when he played for Borussia Dortmund and ended 10th the first time around.
2. Kylian Mbappe (France, Paris Saint-Germain)
He won the Golden Boot after scoring 27 goals and providing 7 assists for his club and nation this season. His only other hat trick came in the World Cup final against Argentina. In addition, as a PSG teammate and winner of the Trophee des Champions, he will challenge Lionel Messi for first place. The previous time around, he came in sixth, but he undoubtedly has this particular honour in mind.
1. Lionel Messi (Argentina, Paris Saint-Germain)
Lionel Messi did not make the top 30 Ballon D’Or nominations for the 2021–2022 season, which was the first time in more than ten years. By winning every additional football trophy, the “Magic Man” has completed the legacy. He was the 2022 FIFA World Cup Golden Ball winner and helped the Albiceleste win the tournament for the first time in 36 years.
He has contributed a total of 12 goals and 14 assists to Paris Saint-Germain this season, and he has already won the Trophee des Champions with them.
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