The Ballon d’Or award’s shortlist has been declared, and it is packed with outstanding football talent. Some of the finest players from the English Premier League and others are represented on this year’s list.
England’s budding stars Bukayo Saka and Jude Bellingham, who play for Arsenal and Real Madrid, respectively, as well as Mohamed Salah of Liverpool and Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur, as well as Andre Onana, the new goalkeeper for Manchester United, and Emiliano Martinez of Aston Villa, a World Cup winner with Argentina, are also on the list.
Erling Haaland, their record-breaking goalscorer, as well as important players like Kevin de Bruyne, Ruben Dias, Bernardo Silva, Rodri, and Josko Gvardiol, are included on the list. Gvardiol, although not with City last season, is also included, and former City player Ilkay Gundogan, now at Barcelona, also makes the cut. There are also notable departures from European clubs this summer.
Surprising Summer Transfers: Ronaldo and Benzema’s Moves
Additionally, there were major exits from European teams this summer, including those of Cristiano Ronaldo, now playing for Al-Nassr, and Karim Benzema, who left Real Madrid for Al-Ittihad. Ronaldo, who was unexpectedly overlooked for the award for the first time in nearly two decades, is now with Al-Nassr.
The Ballon d’Or honors not only well-known performers but also up-and-coming artists. For example, Jude Bellingham is one of the contenders for the Kopa Trophy, which honors the world’s top young athlete. The new Manchester United striker, Rasmus Hojlund, also receives a nod in this category.
Messi’s Quest for the Eighth: Legendary Argentine’s Dominance
Especially after leading Argentina to a World Cup victory, Lionel Messi, the legendary Argentine striker, is the overwhelming favorite to win his eighth Ballon d’Or. Messi recently transferred from Paris St-Germain to Inter Miami.
Goalkeeper Excellence: Premier League’s Trophy Hopefuls
Four goalkeepers from the Premier League are on the shortlist for the Yashin Trophy, which recognizes the world’s finest stopper: Aaron Ramsdale of Arsenal, Andre Onana of Manchester United, Ederson of Manchester City, and Emiliano Martinez of Aston Villa.
This year’s Ballon d’Or nominations feature a wide collection of nominees from different teams and countries, and the winner will join an esteemed group of football luminaries who have previously received this prized trophy.
Ballon d’Or nominees 2023
- Josko Gvardiol (Manchester City, Croatia)
- Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich, Germany)
- Andre Onana (Manchester United, Cameroon)
- Karim Benzema (Al-Ittihad, France)
- Mohamed Salah (Liverpool, Egypt)
- Bukayo Saka (Arsenal, England)
- Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City, Belgium)
- Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid, England)
- Randal Kolo Muani (Paris St-Germain, France)
- Bernardo Silva (Manchester City, Portugal)
- Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Napoli, Georgia)
- Nicolo Barella (Inter Milan, Italy)
- Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa, Argentina)
- Ruben Dias (Manchester City, Portugal)
- Erling Haaland (Manchester City, Norway)
- Martin Odegaard (Arsenal, Norway)
- Ilkay Gundogan (Barcelona, Germany)
- Yassine Bounou (Sevilla, Morocco)
- Julian Alvarez (Manchester City, Argentina)
- Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid, Brazil)
- Rodri (Manchester City, Spain)
- Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid, France)
- Lionel Messi (Inter Miami, Argentina)
- Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan, Argentina)
- Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona, Poland)
- Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich, South Korea)
- Luka Modric (Real Madrid, Croatia)
- Kylian Mbappe (Paris St-Germain, France)
- Harry Kane (Bayern Munich, England)
- Victor Osimhen (Napoli, Nigeria)
