The Ballon d’Or 2023 holds an esteemed position, serving as the ultimate accolade that pays homage to exceptional talents in both the men’s and women’s domains of the sport. As the curtain rises on the unveiling of the 2023 Ballon d’Or shortlist, a palpable sense of anticipation and fervor permeates not only among ardent supporters but also within the ranks of the footballing elite.
England’s very own Bukayo Saka and Jude Bellingham have made the cut for the men’s award, while Lionesses Mary Earps, Millie Bright, Rachel Daly, and Georgia Stanway have been nominated for the women’s category. Let’s dive into the details and discover the stars and stories that make this year’s Ballon d’Or truly special.
Saka and Bellingham: England’s Rising Stars
Bukayo Saka, the talented player from Arsenal, has clinched the title of England’s men’s player of the year, and it’s absolutely deserved. His outstanding displays for both Arsenal and the national team have rightfully earned him a place on the 30-man Ballon d’Or shortlist. Alongside him is Jude Bellingham, who made a high-profile transfer from Borussia Dortmund to Real Madrid. Bellingham’s exceptional season with both his club and the national team has firmly established him among the top-tier footballers.
Man City’s Dominance
Manchester City had a spectacular season, clinching a historic treble. It’s reflected in the Ballon d’Or shortlist, where eight City players find themselves included. Leading the charge is Erling Haaland, who not only helped City secure the treble but also won the UEFA award for the best men’s player.
Haaland’s remarkable 52-goal season was truly exceptional. Joining him are key City players like Kevin De Bruyne, Rodri, Bernardo Silva, Julian Alvarez, Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, and Ilkay Gundogan, who recently made a move to Barcelona.
Kane’s Brilliance and Rashford’s Snub
Harry Kane from Bayern Munich secured his place on the Ballon d’Or shortlist by delivering an outstanding performance with 40 goals for both his club and his national team. However, the decision not to include Marcus Rashford from Manchester United, who managed 30 goals and 11 assists in the 2022/23 season, has surprised many. Nonetheless, the Premier League is strongly represented with standout players like Emi Martinez from Aston Villa, Mohamed Salah from Liverpool, and Martin Odegaard from Arsenal.
Messi, Mbappe, and Ronaldo’s Surprising Omission
Argentina’s first World Cup title since 1986 was led by seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi in Qatar last December. Although his inclusion in the nominations was anticipated, it’s noteworthy that Cristiano Ronaldo, who is currently playing for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, was overlooked for the first time since 2003. PSG’s Kylian Mbappe is one of the nominees, but it’s interesting to note Neymar isn’t there.
Rachel Daly’s Record-Breaking Season
Rachel Daly’s incredible season in the Women’s Super League (WSL) has been rightly recognized. Her 22 goals for Aston Villa set a new WSL record. This outstanding achievement has secured her a place on the women’s Ballon d’Or shortlist, alongside her England teammates Earps, Bright, and Stanway, who played pivotal roles in the Lionesses’ journey to the World Cup final.
WSL Represents with Pride
The Women’s Super League is well represented in the Ballon d’Or nominations. Chelsea’s Sam Kerr and Manchester City’s Khadija Shaw, two remarkable talents, are among the 30 female nominees. Additionally, Aitana Bonmati, who played a crucial role in Spain’s World Cup triumph, has rightfully earned her spot.
Alexia Putellas’s Exclusion
One surprising omission from this year’s nominees is Barcelona’s Alexia Putellas, who has claimed the women’s Ballon d’Or for the past two years. Her absence opens up the race for a new winner in the women’s category.
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The Men’s Ballon d’Or 2023 nominees are as follows:
- Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)
- Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)
- Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
- Martin Odegaard (Arsenal)
- Erling Haaland (Man City)
- Bernardo Silva (Man City)
- Kevin De Bruyne (Man City)
- Rodri (Man City)
- Julian Alvarez (Man City)
- Ruben Dias (Man City)
- Josko Gvardiol (Man City)
- Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
- Andre Onana (Man United)
- Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa)
- Lionel Messi (Inter Miami)
- Kylian Mbappe (PSG)
- Randal Kolo Muani (PSG)
- Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich)
- Kim Min-Jae (Bayern Munich)
- Karim Benzema (Al-Ittihad)
- Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid)
- Luka Modric (Real Madrid)
- Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona)
- Ilkay Gundogan (Barcelona)
- Victor Osimhen (Napoli)
- Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Napoli)
- Nicola Barella (Inter Milan)
- Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan)
- Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid)
- Yassine Bounou (Al Hilal)
The Women’s Ballon d’Or 2023 nominees are:
- Mary Earps (Man United)
- Millie Bright (Chelsea)
- Rachel Daly (Aston Villa)
- Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich)
- Sam Kerr (Chelsea)
- Guro Reiten (Chelsea)
- Katie Mccabe (Arsenal)
- Khadija Shaw (Man City)
- Jill Roord (Man City)
- Yui Hasegawa (Man City)
- Hayley Raso (Real Madrid)
- Amanda Ilestedt (Arsenal)
- Hinata Miyazawa (Man United)
- Daphne Van Domselaar (Aston Villa)
- Mapi Leon (Barcelona)
- Asisat Oshoala (Barcelona)
- Aitana Bonmati (Barcelona)
- Patricia Guijarro (Barcelona)
- Fridolina Rolfo (Barcelona)
- Salma Paralluelo (Barcelona)
- Olga Ramona (Real Madrid)
- Linda Caicedo (Real Madrid)
- Alba Redondo (Levante)
- Wendie Renard (Lyon)
- Kadidiatou Diani (Lyon)
- Alexandra Popp (Wolfsburg)
- Ewa Pajor (Wolfsburg)
- Lena Oberdorf (Wolfsburg)
- Debinha (Kansas City)
- Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns)
The Yashin Trophy, 2023 nominees are:
- Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal)
- Ederson (Manchester City)
- Andre Onana (Inter Milan)
- Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa)
- Marc Andre Ter Stegen (Barcelona)
- Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid)
- Mike Maignan (AC Milan)
- Yassine Bounou (Al-Hilal)
- Brice Samba (RC Lens)
- Dominik Livakovic (Fenerbahce)
The Kopa Trophy, 2023 nominees include:
- Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)
- Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid)
- Gavi (Barcelona)
- Pedri (FC Barcelona)
- Alejandro Balde (Barcelona)
- Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich)
- Rasmus Hojlund (Manchester United)
- Xavi Simons (RB Leipzig)
- Antonio Silva (Benfica)
- Elye Wahi (RC Lens)
The winners will be revealed during the Ballon d’Or 2023 ceremony scheduled for October 30 at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris.
FAQs
Now, let’s address some frequently asked questions about the Ballon d’Or 2023.
When will the winners be announced?
The Ballon d’Or winners for 2023 will be announced on October 30 in Paris, so mark your calendars for this exciting event.
Who won the UEFA award for the best men’s player?
Erling Haaland, one of the Ballon d’Or nominees, won the UEFA award for the best men’s player after his remarkable 52-goal season.
How many times has Lionel Messi won the Ballon d’Or?
Lionel Messi, a football legend, has won the Ballon d’Or seven times in his illustrious career.
Who are the notable absentees from this year’s Ballon d’Or nominations?
Cristiano Ronaldo, who now plays in Saudi Arabia, and Neymar are notably absent from this year’s nominations.
Who set a new Women’s Super League record with 22 goals?
Rachel Daly’s exceptional season with Aston Villa saw her score 22 goals, setting a new Women’s Super League record.
Who is the current holder of the women’s Ballon d’Or?
Alexia Putellas, who plays for Barcelona, has won the women’s Ballon d’Or for the past two years. However, she is not nominated this year.
Conclusion – Messi ballon d’or 2023
The Ballon d’Or 2023 promises to be a thrilling event, with deserving nominees from all corners of the football world. We eagerly await the announcement of the winners on October 30 in Paris.
