By Samuel A. May 17, 2023
The Ballon D’Or is the pinnacle of individual achievement in a football calendar year, and its recipients are forever etched into the football history books. From the legendary Alfredo Di Stefano, to Johan Cruyff, to Ronaldo De Lima, down to the inimitable Lionel Messi, the Ballon d’Or has been won by some of the greatest players to ever grace the game. It is a prize that encapsulates excellence and sheer love for the game, and it is no wonder that every footballer dreams of holding it one day. Truly, the Ballon d’Or is a significant symbol of everything that is pure and magical about the sport.
And so, the race for the Ballon d’Or 2023 award continues as top players, including Lionel Messi, Erling Haåland, Kevin De Bruyne and Kylian Mbappe, amongst others contend for the top trophy. A point ranking system would determine the France Football Organized award after a series of votes. As things stand currently, Leo Messi won the FIFA World Cup in Qatar and is the clear favourite. Erling Haåland would be one to watch, after qualifying for the UEFA Champions League Final, following an emphatic win over Real Madrid, alongside French talisman Kylian Mbappe who was vital for France in yet another exceptional World Cup run.
Here is my top 5 favorites to win the prestigious award :
6) Victor Osimhen
The Nigerian International has been nothing short of world class this season, firing all the shots in and getting 28 goals, 5 assists in 36 games this season. The Napoli forward has been essential for the team, leading them to their first scudetto in 33 years, with their last win coming in 1990. The forward has gathered interest all over top teams in Europe, and could possibly move to a better team this summer, to bolster his chances of ever winning this award. As of now, his chances of winning the Ballon D’or are very low. Would be a miracle or surprise if he does.
5) Vinicius Junior
Vini was one of Real Madrid’s most important players in the 2021-22 season. He announced himself as the next big thing in football, inspiring the team to their Champions League victory last season. This term, he has established himself as a menace of a forward on the planet and is an absolute nightmare to defend against. He has been Real Madrid’s main man in attack this season. He has scored 23 goals and provided 21 assists in 53 appearances in all competitions for Carlo Ancelotti’s men. The 22-year-old is widely tipped to become a Ballon d’Or winner in the future, but has started his charge for the award.
4) Kylian Mbappe
PSG’s inability to compete at the highest level for the most significant silverware there is, in some way, proportional to their star power looks likely to stop Kylian Mbappe from winning the Ballon d’Or this year, or in coming years as well.
Although the Golden Boot at the World Cup and the Ligue 1 title is very likely to prove inadequate for Mbappe’s Ballon d’Or charge this year, his individual numbers continue to be astounding. In 37 appearances in all competitions for PSG so far this season, the 24-year-old has scored 34 goals and provided nine assists.
3) Kevin De Bruyne
One player that has been really underestimated in the Ballon D’or conversation is Kevin De Bruyne. He just seems to go from strength to strength with each passing season. He has been in peak playmaking form this term and has turned up the heat as we near the final stretch of the 2022-23 season. The Belgian icon is the best playmaker in Europe right now and if Manchester City win the treble this season, De Bruyne is most likely making it to the Ballon d’Or podium.
He has scored seven goals and provided a whopping 26 assists in 41 appearances across all competitions for Pep Guardiola’s side so far this season.
2) Erling Haåland
There’s not a way we can talk about the Ballon D’or without mentioning Erling Haåland. The 22 year old lad came to the premier league, and there were many questions as to how he’d adapt to a new, tougher, more competitive league. Some compared him to a similar counterpart, who also signed for Liverpool last summer, Darwin Nunez, claiming he’ll finish with more goals than Erling. Apparently, it has been so far, so good for the Norwegian, who has silenced every critic and beaten all the odds, breaking record after record, and most recently, being the outright top scorer in a single premier league season ever, with 36 goals and counting, taking his total tally in all competitions to 52. He recently received praise from legendary Wayne Rooney, who said he’s the best player in the world right now, and if there’s anyone who can win the Ballon D’or this year, it’s got to be him. The Manchester City forward has also been the forerunner for the team. Manchester City have a good chance of winning a treble this season, and if that happens, Haåland would most likely win the prestigious award.
1) Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi seemed certain to be on his way to winning a record-extending eighth Ballon d’Or after finally leading Argentina to World Cup glory last December. However, an early exit from the Champions League, coupled with Haåland’s upturn in form sees Messi not sitting as comfortably at the top of our Ballon d’Or Power Rankings as he used to a few months ago. He has scored 20 goals and provided 19 assists in 36 appearances in all competitions for the Parisians so far this season.
