In just 3 days time, we will find out the winner of the 2023 FIFA Ballon D’or award in the 67th annual ceremony at the Theatre Du Chatelet in Paris. There’s plenty of buzz around this year’s edition with Argentina ace Lionel Messi and Norwegian goal machine Erling Haaland, the front runners to win one of the most prestigious individual awards in sports.
Last year, Frenchman Karim Benzema won the Ballon D’or for the first time in his career following a tremendous 2021/22 season. The Al-Ittihad forward scored 44 goals and provided 15 assists in 46 appearances across all competitions that season.
His efforts helped Real Madrid win La Liga as well as the UEFA Champions League at the Stade De France against Liverpool by 1-0. He finished ahead of Sadio Mane and Kevin De Bruyne who remained 2nd and 3rd.
But this year, the competition is only between Messi and Haaland. Both of them made significant acheivements in the 2022/23 season with the former winning FIFA World Cup at Qatar and the latter winning the European treble with Manchester City.
Messi scored 21 goals and gave 20 assists in 41 matches across all competitions for Paris Saint Germain. Before winning the Ligue 1 and Trophee Des Champions with PSG that season, Lionel Messi finally got his hands on the FIFA World Cup trophy which he has been chasing since 2006.
At Qatar, the (now) Inter Miami captain scored 7 goals, provided 3 assists and also won the Golden ball award for the 2nd time in his career. His only competition this year Haaland somewhat had an even more prolific 2022/23 season.
In what was his debut season, Haaland netted 52 goals with 9 assists in 53 appearances in all competitions. His efforts helped Man City secure the EPL (3rd time in a row), the FA Cup (first since 2018-19) and the UEFA Champions League (a first for City).
So the competition is very stiff but there are reports coming already that Lionel Messi is set to win his 8th Ballon D’or award on 31st of October.
Who are the nominees of 67th Ballon D’or ceremony?
Josko Gvardiol, Andre Onana, Karim Benzema, Jamal Musiala, Mohamed Salah, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, Randal Kolo Muani, Kevin de Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Emiliano Martinez, Ruben Dias, Nicola Barella, Erling Haaland, Yassine Bounou, Martin Odegaard, Julian Alvarez, Ilkay Gundogan, Vinicius Jr, Robert Lewandowski, Antoine Griezmann, Lautaro Martinez, Lionel Messi, Rodri, Kylian Mbappe, Kim Min-Jae, Victor Osimhen, Luka Modric, and Harry Kane.
Where will the 67th Ballon D’or ceremony take place?
As usual, the Theatre Du Chatelet at the French Capital in Paris will be where the ceremony takes place.
Where can I watch the Live streaming of 67th Ballon D’or ceremony?
You can catch the Ballon D’or ceremony live on Sony Ten 2 on TV and the Sony Liv app.
Who are the favorites to win the Ballon D’or award?
Argentina’s Lionel Messi and Norway’s Erling Haaland are the 2 firm favorites to win the Ballon D’or.
