Ballon d’Or 2023: Organisers Announce Nominees for Men’s Player of the Year
On Wednesday, September 6, 2023, the anticipation for one of football’s most prestigious awards, the Ballon d’Or, reached new heights as the official list of nominees for the Men’s Player of the Year award was revealed by the organizers. Football enthusiasts around the world eagerly awaited this announcement to see which remarkable talents would be in contention for the highly coveted accolade.
As the footballing world shifts its focus to this illustrious event, two prominent names emerge as frontrunners for the Ballon d’Or 2023.
Lionel Messi, the legendary former player of Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona, has positioned himself as the favourite to secure the award for an unprecedented eighth time. His outstanding leadership propelled Argentina to victory in the 2022 FIFA World Cup held in Qatar, where the 36-year-old superstar delivered a remarkable performance, including seven goals, with two crucial strikes in the final. Messi’s exceptional contributions on the pitch earned him the coveted Golden Ball.
Erling Haaland, the prolific goal scorer from Manchester City, is another strong contender for the esteemed accolade. His exceptional form throughout the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League has garnered significant attention. Haaland’s incredible tally of 52 goals across all competitions played a pivotal role in leading Pep Guardiola’s side to a historic treble, marking a historic milestone in the club’s history.
Football enthusiasts, critics, and fans alike eagerly await the unveiling of the Ballon d’Or 2023 winner, an event set to take place at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris on October 30th. The stage is now set for an exciting and closely-watched showdown between these extraordinary talents as they vie for recognition as the world’s top footballer.
Here is the full list of the nominees:
Josko Gvardiol
Andre Onana
Jamal Musiala
Mohamed Salah
Karim Benzema
Jude Bellingham
Bukayo Saka
Randal Kolo Muani
Bernardo Silva
Kevin De Bruyne
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
Emiliano Martinez
Ruben Dias
Martin Odegaard
Ilkay Gundogan
Vinicius Jnr
Erling Haaland
Julian Alvarez
Yassine Bounou
Nicole Barella
Lionel Messi
Rodri
Lautaro Martinez
Antoine Griezemann
Robert Lewandowski
Kim Min-Jae
Luka Modric
Kylian Mbappe
Victor Osimhen
Harry Kane
