The prestigious Ballon d’Or awards are just around the corner, and the list of nominees has been unveiled, featuring football luminaries from around the globe.
In the men’s category, Lionel Messi, fresh off his move from Paris Saint-Germain to Inter Miami, stands as a prominent candidate to secure the Ballon d’Or for the eighth time in his illustrious career. His recent triumph in leading Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar bolsters his claim to the coveted accolade.
Erling Haaland emerges as a formidable rival for the title. The Norwegian sensation netted a remarkable 52 goals in 53 appearances, a significant contribution to Manchester City’s historic treble victory in the Champions League, Premier League, and FA Cup last season. Last week, Haaland clinched the UEFA Player of the Year award for his outstanding performances.
Among the 30 nominees, Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe and Haaland’s Manchester City teammate Kevin De Bruyne add further star power to the competition. Karim Benzema, who departed Real Madrid after 14 years to join Saudi club Al-Ittihad, also finds himself in the running.
The winner of the Ballon d’Or will be announced during a ceremony in Paris on October 30, making it one of the most anticipated events in the football calendar.
On the women’s side, Aitana Bonmati, who secured the UEFA Women’s Player of the Year award, emerges as the frontrunner to clinch the Ballon d’Or. Her exceptional performances were instrumental in Spain’s recent World Cup victory in Sydney. Bonmati also played a pivotal role in Barcelona’s Champions League triumph, and she hopes to follow in the footsteps of her teammate Alexia Putellas, the winner of the last two Ballon d’Or awards. Notably, Putellas is absent from this year’s nominations due to a knee injury that sidelined her for nine months.
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Spain’s victorious World Cup squad boasts several nominees, including Olga Carmona, Salma Paralluelo, and Alba Redondo. Patricia Guijarro and Mapi Leon, both representing Barcelona, also feature on the list.
Additional nominees include Chelsea and Australia striker Sam Kerr and England goalkeeper Mary Earps, reflecting the international diversity of women’s football.
The Ballon d’Or awards ceremony promises to be a celebration of football excellence and a testament to the dedication and skill of these outstanding athletes.
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Full List of Nominees for the 2023 Ballon d’Or – Men’s Award:
– Josko Gvardiol
– Jamal Musiala
– Andre Onana
– Karim Benzema
– Mohamed Salah
– Bukayo Saka
– Kevin De Bruyne
– Jude Bellingham
– Randal Kolo Muani
– Bernardo Silva
– Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
– Nicolo Barella
– Emiliano Martinez
– Ruben Dias
– Erling Haaland
– Martin Odegaard
– Ilkay Gundogan
– Yassine Bounou
– Julian Alvarez
– Vinicius Jr.
– Lionel Messi
– Rodri
– Lautaro Martinez
– Antoine Griezmann
– Robert Lewandowski
– Kylian Mbappe
– Victor Osimhen
– Kim Min-Jae
– Luka Modric
– Harry Kane
