2023 Ballon d’Or Nominees: FIFA officially revealed the 30-player shortlist for the 2023 Ballon d’Or on September 6, 2023.
Among the notable names in this prestigious list are Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland, Osimhen, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, and a strong representation from Manchester City.
This group of 30 talented individuals consists of players who have excelled in top-tier competitions during the 2022/2023 season, including the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
2023 Ballon d’Or Nominees
Nigerian striker Osimhen, who had an outstanding 2022/2023 campaign with over 20 goals, rightfully earned his place on the list.
Jude Bellingham, a rising star in English football, continues to shine, especially after his move to Real Madrid, earning him a spot in the running for the Ballon d’Or. He is one of 10 nominees for the best young player award, the Kopa Trophy.
Erling Haaland, the goal-scoring sensation from Manchester City, is one of the 12 Premier League players nominated, alongside other standout performers like Kevin de Bruyne, Ruben Dias, Julian Alvarez, Bernardo Silva, and Rodri.
Notably, Gvardiol, the Croatian defender, may not have been with City last season, but Ilkay Gundogan, now at Barcelona, also made the cut.
Lionel Messi, the legendary Argentine who is currently playing Inter Miami grabbed his 16th nominations stands as the favorite to secure his eighth Ballon d’Or, especially after his triumph in the World Cup.
The Premier League has put forward several nominees for the prestigious Ballon d’Or and Yashin Trophy awards.
Among the contenders are Arsenal’s promising talents, Saka and Martin Odegaard, Liverpool’s prolific forward, Mohamed Salah, Manchester United’s skilled keeper, Andre Onana, and Aston Villa’s reliable goalkeeper, Emiliano Martinez.
Notably, the current Ballon d’Or holder, Karim Benzema, who previously represented Real Madrid but now plays for Al-Ittihad, is also in the running.
Surprisingly, Cristiano Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d’Or winner who now plies his trade at Al-Nassr, was not nominated for the first time in nearly two decades.
Furthermore, Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale, a prominent figure in the Premier League, has earned a spot on the 10-man shortlist for the Yashin Trophy, which recognizes the world’s best goalkeeper.
Manchester City’s Ederson and Aston Villa’s Martinez, who boasts World Cup success with Argentina are the others.
2023 Ballon d’Or Nominees
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)
SOURCE: hellovybes.com
