Who will win Ballon d’Or 2023?
The anticipation is palpable as the world’s top footballers prepare to battle it out for the most prestigious individual honor in the sport – the Ballon d’Or. With the nominees announced, the question on everyone’s mind is: who will take home the coveted trophy in 2023? In this article, we’ll delve into the current form, stats, and predictions to give you an insight into who might win the Ballon d’Or 2023.
The Favorites
According to bookmakers and experts, the top contenders for the Ballon d’Or 2023 are:
- Lionel Messi: The Argentine maestro has won the award a record-breaking seven times and is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. His incredible goal-scoring record and dominance on the pitch make him a strong favorite to win again.
- Kylian Mbappé: The French sensation has been in stunning form, leading his national team to the World Cup final and scoring a plethora of goals for Paris Saint-Germain. His pace, skill, and clinical finishing make him a serious contender for the award.
- Robert Lewandowski: The Polish striker has been a goal-scoring machine, breaking numerous records and leading Bayern Munich to multiple titles. His consistency and goal-scoring prowess make him a dark horse for the award.
The Nominees
The nominees for the Ballon d’Or 2023 are:
- André Onana: The Cameroon-born goalkeeper has been impressive for Inter Milan and the Netherlands national team.
- Josko Gvardiol: The Croatian defender has been a revelation for RB Leipzig and the Croatian national team.
- Karim Benzema: The French striker has been in fine form for Real Madrid and the French national team.
- Jamal Musiala: The German midfielder has been outstanding for Bayern Munich and the German national team.
- Mohamed Salah: The Egyptian winger has been a key player for Liverpool and the Egyptian national team.
- Jude Bellingham: The English midfielder has been impressive for Borussia Dortmund and the English national team.
The Verdict
Based on current form and stats, Lionel Messi is the strong favorite to win the Ballon d’Or 2023. His incredible goal-scoring record, dominance on the pitch, and consistent performances make him a hard act to follow. However, Kylian Mbappé and Robert Lewandowski are also strong contenders, and their impressive form could see them challenge Messi for the award.
The Prediction
Our prediction is that Lionel Messi will win the Ballon d’Or 2023. His incredible achievements and consistency make him the most likely candidate to take home the award. However, the competition is fierce, and we wouldn’t be surprised if Mbappé or Lewandowski pulled off an upset.
Table: Ballon d’Or Winners (2010-2022)
| Year | Winner | Club(s) | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Lionel Messi | Barcelona | 34 |
| 2011 | Lionel Messi | Barcelona | 53 |
| 2012 | Lionel Messi | Barcelona | 50 |
| 2013 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Real Madrid | 34 |
| 2014 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Real Madrid | 31 |
| 2015 | Lionel Messi | Barcelona | 48 |
| 2016 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Real Madrid | 51 |
| 2017 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Real Madrid | 42 |
| 2018 | Luka Modrić | Real Madrid | 22 |
| 2019 | Lionel Messi | Barcelona | 36 |
| 2020 | Not awarded (COVID-19 pandemic) | ||
| 2021 | Lionel Messi | Paris Saint-Germain | 30 |
| 2022 | Karim Benzema | Real Madrid | 27 |
Note: The table only includes the winners of the Ballon d’Or award from 2010 to 2022.