Who Will Win Ballon d'Or 2023?
The Golden Ball race is now underway, and performances in Qatar are likely to have a significant impact on the winner. Karim Benzema may have won the 2022 Ballon d’Or a short while ago, but the competition for the prize in 2023 is already gaining significant momentum.
Although winning in Qatar will undoubtedly boost a player’s chances of contending for the Ballon d’Or, we’ve kept the possibility of a performance-driven competition alive by continuing to track the race with our Ballon d’Or Power Rankings. So who has established themselves with their first-half season performances and who still has some catching up to do?
Ballon d’Or 2023 Power Rankings Top 10
1. Lionel Messi (PSG)
In 2022-23: 24 goals, 18 assists. Won World Cup 2023 & Trophy des Champions.
With goals and assists that left fans across the world in amazement, Messi, a true force of nature, finally put an end to the lengthy wait for a first World Cup.
Is there anything anyone else can do to prevent Messi from winning the eighth Ballon d’Or? Messi was a deserving winner of the Golden Ball for being the competition’s finest player. Even if there are still six months left in the season, things could get tough.
2. Kylian Mbappe (PSG)
In 2022-23: 28 goals, seven assists
Mbappe will not be a two-time World Cup champion when he turns 24 on Tuesday, but he will be sure that he will continue to shatter tournament records.
With just the second hat-trick in a World Cup final against Argentina, Mbappe sealed the Golden Boot and capped another incredible month for the PSG superstar on the international stage.
3. Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
In 2022-23: 24 goals, three assists.
Haaland now has the opportunity to sit back and relax for a month before attempting to maintain his record-breaking goalscoring pace at the end of December. Any concerns about whether he would fit in at Manchester City have been allayed in the space of a few weeks.
Given his talent, Haaland could undoubtedly win the Ballon d’Or without competing in the World Cup, and the competition has thus far gone almost exactly in his favor.
4. Neymar (PSG)
In 2022-23: 18 goals, 15 assists. Won UEFA Super Cup.
After Brazil’s quarterfinal loss to Croatia, Neymar hinted that he will not stay with the national team through 2026, ending his World Cup ambition.
However, his World Cup form and physical issues shouldn’t overshadow his excellent first half of the season at Paris Saint-Germain. If he keeps up this level of play, he might still force his way into the Ballon d’Or competition.
5. Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona)
In 2022-23: 20 goals, six assists.
Lewandowski cut a dissatisfied figure for much of Poland’s World Cup campaign, despite the fact that he did manage to score his first goals ever.
The suspension he received after being dismissed in Barcelona’s penultimate match before the break may delay his return to action, but it should leave him rested for the remainder of the season.
6. Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid)
In 2022-23: 11 goals, nine assists. Won UEFA Super Cup.
At his first World Cup, Vinicius displayed flashes of his extraordinary talent, but he was one of many players who couldn’t deliver frequently enough for Brazil to go past the quarterfinals.
7. Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)
In 2022-23: Four goals, 14 assists.
De Bruyne was maybe one of the least impressive players in the World Cup; he was unable to prevent Belgium’s aging team from losing in the group stages. Therefore, he will be happy to return to Manchester City and begin swinging in crosses so that Erling Haaland may resume his attack.
8. Julian Alvarez (Manchester City)
In 2022-23: 13 goals, three assists. Won World Cup.
Argentina’s World Cup victory was largely attributed to the striker’s introduction into the starting lineup after a couple of games. Alvarez led the line admirably, scoring goals and displaying deft teamwork with Lionel Messi.
Alvarez now has a chance to be among the most decorated players in world football this season because he plays for Manchester City, and even though France Football has told judges to prioritize performance over trophies, there’s no question that the former River Plate player deserves to be at least a Ballon d’Or nominee.
9. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
In 2022-23: 16 goals, five assists. Won Community Shield.
The final few weeks before the World Cup saw Salah return to form, and the Egyptian’s goals just kept Liverpool afloat following a shaky stretch of play.
Salah’s game-winning goals against Manchester City and Tottenham were classic examples of his style, and despite missing the World Cup, he still has a chance to influence the Ballon d’Or race.
10. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Napoli)
In 2022-23: 10 goals, 11 assists.
The most unexpected player of the current European campaign, “Kvaradona,” propelled Napoli to a commanding lead at the top of Serie A and a Champions League group victory that positions them well for a strong run through the knockout stages.
So who has established themselves with their first-half season performances and who still has some catching up to do?
Source: Goal.com
