Ballon d'Or 2023: Lionel Messi in frame for another triumph ahead of ...
The nominees for the 2023 Ballon d’Or awards will be announced on Wednesday, with 30 male and 20 female players set to make the shortlist.
The annual prize, given to the best footballer of the year, is widely considered the most prestigious in the sport.
On Thursday, 30 nominees for the men’s Ballon d’Or and 20 nominees for the Ballon d’Or Feminin will be revealed.
There will also be a 10-man list of nominees for the Yashin and Kopa trophies, awarded to the best goalkeeper and best Under-21 player respectively.
Argentina and Inter Miami star Lionel Messi has won the main award a record seven times and is again a strong favourite to take the trophy this year.
Messi led Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar in December, his country’s first triumph since the Diego Maradona-inspired 1986 title.
The 36-year-old, who left Paris Saint-Germain this summer to join MLS side Inter Miami, was named player of the tournament in Qatar after scoring seven goals including two in the final against France.
Messi is one of just four players to have won the award in the last 15 years, along with five-time winner Cristiano Ronaldo, 2018 winner Luka Modric and last year’s winner Karim Benzema.
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland is also one of the frontrunners after firing Manchester City to a historic Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League Treble.
Jack Grealish and Erling Haaland of Manchester City pose for a photograph with the UEFA Super Cup trophy after the team's victory inside the Manchester City dressing room
Image credit: Getty Images
Several of his City team-mates, including midfielders Kevin De Bruyne and Rodri, are expected to feature, as well as the likes of Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior and PSG superstar Kylian Mbappe, who won the Golden Ball at the World Cup.
Alexia Putellas of Barcelona has won the Ballon d’Or Feminin for the last two years and Spanish players are likely to feature prominently again following their recent Women’s World Cup victory.
Injury has ended Putellas’ chances of defending her crown after she missed almost the entire 2022/23 season, but one of her Barcelona team-mates like Aitana Bonmati, Fridolina Rolfo or Patri Guijarro could be in the frame.
The likes of Australia and Chelsea striker Sam Kerr, World Cup Silver Boot winner Kadidiatou Diani of Lyon and France or Wolfsburg and Germany striker Alexandra Popp could also be in contention.
England could be represented by the like of Georgia Stanway or Lauren James, who were instrumental in the Lionesses reaching the World Cup final.
The shortlist will be announced at 17:30 UK time on Wednesday, September 6.
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