The favourites to win the Ballon d'Or 2023
The 2023 Ballon d’Or ceremony will be eagerly awaited for several reasons.
Football’s biggest individual prize is due to be handed out on Monday 16 October 2023 and will be the first year to take into account the change in the award criteria away from a full calendar year.
Previously, a player’s achievements from January to December in a given year were what the Ballon d’Or was based on, which rather confusingly made it two half seasons. Now, however, a typical full club season from one summer to the next is the timeframe things will be judged on.
Right in the middle of that for the 2023 award was the 2022 World Cup, with the finals in Qatar taking place after the 2022 Ballon d’Or ceremony. World Cup tournaments always heavily influence the make-up of the shortlist and this time will be no different.
With the 2022/23 season now at an end, it's time to look at how should be considered the frontrunners for the most prized individual award in football.
Ballon d'Or 2023 favourites
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
- Position: Forward
- Teams: Napoli & Georgia
The UEFA Champions League Young Player of the Season and the Serie A Player of the Season, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia exploded onto the scene during the 2022/23 campaign helping Napoli to their first Serie A title since 1990.
Rodri
- Position: Midfielder
- Teams: Manchester City & Spain
The scorer of the most important goal in his football club's history, Rodri was arguably Manchester City's MVP during their run to a historic treble.
Enzo Fernandez
- Position: Midfielder
- Teams: Benfica, Chelsea & Argentina
The World Cup's best young player earned a big money move to Chelsea at the start of 2023. His breakout displays in Qatar have now made him a headline name, but the Blues' chaotic struggles of late make a Ballon d'Or win for Fernandez a smidge unlikely.
Lautaro Martinez
- Position: Forward
- Teams: Inter & Argentina
He may have flatter to deceive at the World Cup, but Lautaro Martinez found his best form late in a successful season for Inter.
His goal in the Champions League semi final win over AC Milan and subsequent celebration will go down in Inter history.
Achraf Hakimi
- Position: Defender
- Teams: Paris Saint-Germain & Morocco
The flying full-back is indispensable for both club and country. He was a key member of Morocco's World Cup heroes. No defender has won the Ballon d'Or since 2006.
Mohamed Salah
Was absent from the World Cup but still put up excellent numbers for Liverpool. In total, the 'Egyptian King' bagged himself 30 goals and 15 assists for the Reds in 2022/23.
- Position: Forward
- Teams: Liverpool & Egypt
Luka Modric
- Position: Midfielder
- Teams: Real Madrid & Croatia
The veteran midfielder continues to defy logic with his performances for club and country, helping Croatia reach the World Cup semi-finals for the third time in their 30-year history in December.
Victor Osimhen
- Position: Forward
- Teams: Napoli & Nigeria
The man who score the goals that won Napoli their first Serie A title in over 30 years, Osimhen is one of the very best strikers around right now.
Emiliano Martinez
- Position: Goalkeeper
- Teams: Aston Villa & Argentina
The World Cup Golden Glove winner is likely to be among the nominees for that feat. His incredible save late in the final against France directly contributed to Argentina eventually lifting the trophy.
Antoine Griezmann
- Position: Forward
- Teams: Atletico Madrid & France
Playing at his third World Cup, the Frenchman reminded people exactly why he has the reputation he does. This is a slightly different Griezmann, too, the creator rather than the goalscorer.
Robert Lewandowski
- Position: Forward
- Teams: Barcelona & Poland
The goals have continued to flow for Lewandowski despite trading the security of German football for a new challenge in Spain. His two goals in Qatar were also his first ever in a World Cup, and he helped Barca to their first La Liga title in four years this season.
Vinicius Junior
- Position: Forward
- Teams: Real Madrid & Brazil
Vinicius will no doubt have designs on winning the Ballon d'Or during his career, and his impressive 2022/23 season in which he bagged 20 goals for Los Blancos will have done his chances of winning one plenty of favours.
Kevin De Bruyne
- Position: Midfielder
- Teams: Manchester City & Belgium
The midfielder was at his brilliant best for Manchester City as they secured the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League. He topped the assist charts in both the Premier League and in the Champions League.
Marcus Rashford
- Position: Forward
- Teams: Manchester United & England
A career best season with Manchester United has catipulted Marcus Rashford to the very top of the game.
Karim Benzema
- Position: Forward
- Teams: Real Madrid & France
While Karim Benzema wasn't able to replicate his 2021/22 heroics this season, his 30 goals in all compeitions at age 35 are certainly nothing to be sniffed at.
Erling Haaland
- Position: Forward
- Teams: Man City & Norway
Manchester City's Norwegian star didn't have the chance to play at the World Cup but has exceeded expectations since moving to English football, breaking a whole host of records en route to a historic treble with City.
Kylian Mbappe
- Position: Forward
- Teams: Paris Saint-Germain & France
Only the second male player in history to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final. He didn't win it but was a major reason France reached the final again and fired his way into sixth place on the all-time World Cup goalscorers list.
Lionel Messi
- Position: Forward
- Teams: Paris Saint-Germain & Argentina
Although other players are worthy nominees, it is almost impossible to see anyone aside from Lionel Messi winning the Ballon d'Or in 2023. He was the Golden Ball winner as best player at the World Cup, before finally lifting the trophy as captain. An astonishing eighth Ballon d'Or beckons.