The football world is buzzing with excitement as the 2023 Ballon d’Or ceremony draws near. The prestigious award, presented annually by France Football magazine, is set to take place on October 30 at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris.
The shortlist for the 67th annual Ballon d’Or has been unveiled, and it features some of the biggest names in football. Leading the pack of nominees are Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland. If Messi clinches the title, it will be his eighth Ballon d’Or, further cementing his status as one of the greatest footballers of all time. Meanwhile, a win for Haaland would mark a significant milestone in the young player’s career.
The anticipation surrounding the award is palpable, given the stellar performances of the nominees throughout the past season. Karim Benzema, the 2022 winner, also features in the list of top contenders.
The full list of nominees includes André Onana from Manchester United and Cameroon, and Josko Gvardiol, among others. Aitana Bonmati and Sophia Smith are among the prominent names leading the race for the women’s award.
In a surprising turn of events, Manchester United stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcus Rashford were left out of the shortlist for the 2023 Ballon d’Or nominees. Despite demonstrating an impressive performance over the past season, scoring 20 and assisting 11, Rashford failed to secure a spot in the list of nominees. Similarly, the omission of Cristiano Ronaldo marks the end of a remarkable 20-year run in the trophy’s history. This is the first time in two decades that Ronaldo hasn’t been nominated for the prestigious award.
Given the high stakes and the exceptional talent of the nominees, the 2023 Ballon d’Or is set to be a thrilling event that underscores the passion, skill, and spirit of football.
