Will they leave you empty handed? Lionel Messi is emerging as one of the top contenders to win the 2023 Ballon d’Or. However, the path won’t be easy: there are other footballers who could also win the award. Who are you?
He maximum recognition In any case, what a footballer can have is to be nominated among the candidates for Ballon d’Or 2023 forgive It is awarded to the player who has shown the best level in the entire planet in the last 12 months. And while everything indicates that Lionel Messi will return his eighth crown to Argentina, it’s possible that there are some colleagues ready to ruin his dream.
Who are the top contenders for the 2023 Ballon d’Or? Check out the list of footballers with the best chance of snatching it from Lionel Messi himself. Will it be Cristiano Ronaldo or Karim Benzema?
When will the 2023 Ballon d’Or be delivered?
There is no defined date for the delivery of the next Ballon d’Or, but it is expected to be after the conclusion of the 2022/2023 season and in the last months of this year.
Lionel Messi comes from winning the World Cup with his team in Qatar 2022. Photo: Anne-Christine Poujoulat/AFP
Ballon d’Or 2023: Who are the favorites for the award?
The stunning performance of Lionel Messi During the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, he practically assured him of being among the candidates for the 2023 Ballon d’Or, according to various experts on the subject.
Argentina’s attacking side revealed it all with his team: he was named the best player, second highest goalscorer (seven) and one of the footballers with the most assists (three) of the tournament.
What’s more, the “flea” was the most influential player at the World Cup thanks to his impressive numbers. However, the attacker destroyed everything he had in front of him long before the World Cup: he has amassed a total of 17 goals and 16 assists at PSG so far this season.
If he continues like this, there will be no stopping him on his way to his eighth Ballon d’Or.
Kylian Mbappe
In any case, the path will not be easy: Kylian Mbappe He is also emerging as one of the big favorites due to the devilish level he has shown so far not only at his club but also in the French team. And proof of that is the eight goals and two assists he provided in Qatar 2022.
But the indefinable “Donatello” also caused a stir in the Paris team: A total of 29 goals and seven assists make him one of the most decisive strikers of the season in Europe.
Kylian Mbappé came close to ruining the dream of his life for Lionel Messi. Photo: Frank Fife/AFP
Erling Haland
However, when we talk about goalscoring, it’s impossible to leave out the huge Erling Haland, who has scored 33 goals in 33 games with Manchester City so far this season. The “giant of the mountain” doesn’t seem to have reached its peak yet.
However, the Norwegian striker was unlucky not to qualify for football’s biggest party, putting him at a huge disadvantage compared to Messi and Mbappé.
The Norwegian Erling Haaland will probably never be able to contest a World Cup with his team. Photo: Adrian Dennis/AFP
How many goals has Messi scored so far?
At this point in the season, Messi has 17 goals in his club.