By Washira Helene
The 2023 Ballon d’Or is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in recent years, with a number of players putting forward strong cases for the award.
The Ballon d’Or is considered to be among the most prestigious awards in the world of football. The 67th annual ceremony is scheduled for October 30, 2023, at the Théâtre du Châtelet, Paris in France and nominees will be announced on September 6.
Former Real Madrid Karim Benzema is the reigning Ballon d’Or winner and it is highly unlikely that he will retain his crown.
Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland are the Ballon d’Or 2023 favourites along side others.
Here are the top 5 favourites with their different performances this season:
Lionel Messi: The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner had another stellar season, leading Argentina to World Cup glory. He is the favorite, having won the World Cup with Argentina, he also had a stellar season for PSG, scoring 40 goals and providing 15 assists in Ligue 1.
Erling Haaland: The Norwegian striker was one of the most prolific goalscorers in Europe this season. He is another contender, having scored 52 goals in all competitions for Manchester City. He also helped City win the Premier League and the Champions League on June 10, 2023.
Kylian Mbappé: The French superstar was in top form for Paris Saint-Germain this season. He is also in the mix, having scored 41 goals in 43 games for PSG. He also won the Golden Boot at the World Cup, scoring eight goals in seven games. He was crowned Ligue 1 top scorer.
Karim Benzema: The current holder of the title. The Real Madrid striker had a remarkable season, scoring 44 goals in all competitions for Real Madrid. He helped Madrid win the Copa Del Rey trophy before being eliminated for the champions league finals falling with a 4-0 against Manchester City.
Mohamed Salah: The Egyptian forward was in outstanding form for Liverpool this season. He is also in contention, having scored 31 goals in 35 games for Liverpool. He also helped Liverpool win the FA Community Shield Cup.
It is too early to say who will win the 2023 Ballon d’Or, but it is sure to be a close race. All five of these players have had outstanding seasons, and they all have a good chance of winning the award.
