Ballon d'Or: Messi and Haaland the favourites - Ronaldo not nominated
The French football magazine France Football has announced the 30 nominees for the 2023 Ballon d’Or, and with Lionel Messi, Major League Soccer has a real opportunity to have an active player playing in the league win the trophy for the first time in history. Not nominated for the first time in 20 years is five-time winner Cristiano Ronaldo. The magazine also announced the ten finalists for the Trophée Kopa, awarded to the best young player, and the Trophée Yachine, awarded to the best goalkeeper.
The 30 nominees for the Ballon d'Or 2023
Among the finalists, 11 out of the 30 players currently play in the Premier League, with seven of those players under contract at Manchester City. Man City also have one of the favorites in the squad: Erling Haaland. The Norwegian star was a big part of his club’s treble-winning season and is considered Messi’s biggest challenger for the Ballon d’Or trophy. The winners will be announced on Oct. 30 in Paris. The titleholder is Karim Benzema. The striker from Al-Ittihad is one of two players from the Saudi Pro League on the list. The other player is goalkeeper Bono from Al-Hilal.
Not on the list for the first time since 2003 is Cristiano Ronaldo. Ronaldo won the award in 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2017 and finished 20th last season. Messi, who holds the record with seven awards, is one of four Argentines with a chance to win the trophy.
The nominees for the Trophée Kopa
Jude Bellingham (ENG/Real Madrid), Jamal Musiala (GER/Bayern), Pedri (ESP/FC Barcelona), Gavi (ESP/Barcelona), Eduardo Camavinga (FRA/Real Madrid), Xavi Simons (NED/RB Leipzig), Alejandro Balde (ESP/ Barcelona), António Silva (POR/Benfica), Rasmus Højlund (DEN/Man United), Elye Wahi (FRA/RC Lens).
The nominees for the Trophée Yachine
Thibaut Courtois (BEL/Real Madrid), Ederson (BRA/Man City), Emiliano Martinez (ARG/Aston Villa), Aaron Ramsdale (ENG/Arsenal), Dominik Livakovic (CRO/Fenerbahce), Marc-André ter Stegen (GER/FC Barcelona), Mike Maignan (FRA/AC Milan), Bono (MAR/Al-Hilal SFC), André Onana (CAM/Man United), Brice Samba (FRA/RC Lens).
- Date of birth/Age:
- Jun 24, 1987 (36)
-
Nat.:
- Current club:
- Inter Miami CF
- Contract until:
- Dec 31, 2025
- Position:
- Right Winger
- Market Value:
- €30.00m
- Date of birth/Age:
- Jul 21, 2000 (23)
-
Nat.:
- Current club:
- Manchester City
- Contract until:
- Jun 30, 2027
- Position:
- Centre-Forward
- Market Value:
- €180.00m
- Date of birth/Age:
- Dec 19, 1987 (36)
-
Nat.:
- Current club:
- Al-Ittihad Club
- Contract until:
- Jun 30, 2026
- Position:
- Centre-Forward
- Market Value:
- €15.00m
Cristiano Ronaldo
Bono
Jude Bellingham
Jamal Musiala
Pedri
Gavi
Eduardo Camavinga
Xavi Simons
Alejandro Balde
António Silva
Rasmus Højlund
Elye Wahi
Thibaut Courtois
Ederson
Emiliano Martínez
Aaron Ramsdale
Dominik Livakovic
Marc-André ter Stegen
Mike Maignan
André Onana
Brice Samba
Kevin De Bruyne
Rúben Dias
Antoine Griezmann
Harry Kane
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
Robert Lewandowski
Mohamed Salah
Vinicius Junior
Julián Álvarez
