Ballon d'Or 2023 ceremony: Date, UK start time, nominees and how ...
Lionel Messi is the heavy favourite to win a record-extending eighth Ballon d’Or trophy later this month.
Messi is set to beat Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland to the award, largely thanks to his heroics in leading Argentina to World Cup glory.
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The Inter Miami star scored twice and then again in the shootout as La Albiceleste beat France on penalties in Qatar following a 3-3 thriller.
And ironically the former Paris Saint-Germain forward will be returning to the French capital to stake his claim to win the highest individual award in football for the first time since 2021.
The annual award, which has been presented by French news magazine France Football since 1956, is a highlight in the sporting calendar.
Ballon d’Or 2023: Date and how to followThe ceremony for the 2023 awards will take place on Monday, October 30.
The 67th annual ceremony will once again be held at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris.
A start time is yet to be officially confirmed but it is expected to get underway at 8pm UK time.
Chelsea legend Didier Drogba will present live coverage, which is set to be available to watch for free on the L'Equipe YouTube channel.
A host of other awards will also be dished out, chiefly being the Ballon d'Or Feminin which crowns the best female footballer in the world.
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The Kopa Trophy, which honours the best U21 player, and the Yashin Trophy, aka the best goalkeeper, are also up for grabs.
New awards include the Socrates Award, the Gerd Muller Trophy and a Club of the Year award will be presented as well.
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Ballon d'Or 2023 nominees
Andre Onana (Manchester United, Ajax)
Josko Gvardiol (Manchester City, RB Leipzig)
Karim Benzema (Al Ittihad, Real Madrid)
Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich)
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund)
Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
Randal Kolo Muani (Eintracht Frankfurt, Paris Saint-Germain)
Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)
Bernardo Silva (Manchester City)
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Napoli)
Nicolo Barella (Inter Milan)
Emi Martinez (Aston Villa)
Ruben Dias (Manchester City)
Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
Martin Odegaard (Arsenal)
Ilkay Gundogan (Barcelona, Manchester City)
Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid)
Julian Alvarez (Manchester City)
Yassine Bounou (Al Hilal, Sevilla)
Lionel Messi (Inter Miami, Paris Saint-Germain)
Rodri (Manchester City)
Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan)
Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid)
Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona)
Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich, Napoli)
Luka Modric (Real Madrid)
Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain)
Victor Osimhen (Napoli)
Harry Kane (Bayern Munich, Tottenham)
Norwegian Haaland opened up on his Ballon d'Or chances last month off the back of Man City's treble-winning triumph.
He told France Football: “I know I can still improve a great deal; I’m still young. But yes, I believe I have a chance this year.”
Mbappe also believes he can win his inaugural Ballon d'Or.
He said: "It's difficult to talk about an individual trophy because you have to put yourself forward and it's not well seen by the general public.
"What are the new criteria? Is it to shine and make an impact? I think I fit the criteria. We'll see.
"It's the people who vote but I'm still optimistic."
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