Excitement is building as the official announcement for the 2023 Ballon d’Or nominees approaches. Here’s a breakdown of all the essential details about this highly anticipated revelation.
When Will the Nominees Be Announced?
The moment we’ve all been waiting for is almost here! The Ballon d’Or nominations will be unveiled on Wednesday, and the event is scheduled to kick off at 18:30 CET. The names of the nominees will be released in segments, with groups of five names being teased at a time.
How Many Nominees Are There?
This year, the shortlist includes a total of 30 male players and 20 female players, all vying for their respective Ballon d’Or awards. Additionally, the Yashin Trophy for the best goalkeeper and the Kopa Trophy for the best U21 player will each have 10 nominees.
Who Are the Front-runners?
In the men’s category, Lionel Messi, the Argentine and Inter Miami superstar, is the favorite to secure his eighth Ballon d’Or, thanks in part to his role in leading Argentina to World Cup victory in Qatar last year. However, Messi faces tough competition from Erling Haaland, the 23-year-old Norwegian sensation who scored an astounding 52 goals during Manchester City’s treble-winning season. Haaland has already claimed the PFA Player of the Year and UEFA Men’s Player of the Year awards.
As for the Ballon d’Or Féminin, two-time winner Alexia Putellas is not considered the frontrunner this year due to an injury-plagued season. Instead, Aitana Bonmatí, Putellas’ teammate from Barcelona and Spain, stands as a strong contender. Bonmatí clinched the Golden Ball following Spain’s Women’s World Cup victory and the UEFA Women’s Player of the Year award after Barcelona’s Champions League triumph last season. Other potential candidates include Patri Guijarro (Barcelona and Spain), Fridolina Rolfö (Barcelona and Sweden), and Sam Kerr (Chelsea and Australia).
When Will the Winners Be Revealed?
The ultimate moment of truth will arrive on October 30th when the winners are officially announced. In the meantime, we’d love to hear your thoughts! Share your predictions and favorites in the comments section below and join the discussion as we eagerly await the big reveal.
