Ballon d'Or rankings in 2023: Top 20 favourites to win the prestigious award

Since 1956, France Football (French news magazine) has presented the annual Ballon d'Or award to the best player. They temporarily merged it with the FIFA World Player of the Year (the FIFA Ballon d'Or) between 2010 and 2015. Thirty players are usually shortlisted in the Ballon d'Or rankings per year. Discover the top 20 soccer legends likely to be shortlisted for this prestigious award in 2023.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are among the world's most frequent Ballon d'Or award winners. Argentinian Messi has won the award seven times (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021), while Portuguese Ronaldo has received it five times (2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017). Discover players in the Ballon d'Or rankings shortlist in 2023 below.

20 soccer favourites for the Ballon d'Or 2023 rankings list

The date and time for the 2023 Ballon d'Or awards ceremony will be set late this year. The 2022 Ballon d'Or winner was announced at the Ballon d'Or ceremony on 17 October at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, France.

Watch DJ Khaled's hilariously attempt the All-Star Skills Challenge

NBA

Due to the new rules, the winner will be selected based on his domestic season performance rather than the calendar year. Bookies have not shortlisted their favourites to win the 2023 Ballon d'Or. The new criteria make it easier for the public to predict what will happen this year. Below is the Ballon d'Or 2023 ranking list:

20. Martin Odegaard - Arsenal

• Full name: Martin Odegaard
• Born: 17 December 1998 in Drammen, Norway
• Age: 24 years (as of February 2023)
• Current teams: Arsenal FC (Midfielder, #8), Norway national football team (Midfielder, #8)
• 2022/23 stats: 8 goals, 7 assists
• Last Ballon d'Or ranking position: New entry
• Individual honours: Tippeligaen Young Player of the Year, Vitesse Player of the Year, Eredivisie Team of the Year, Idrettsgallaen Breakthrough of the Year

Arsenal's Martin Odegaard is among the Ballon d'Or rankings favourites in 2023. He is a new entry in the Ballon d'Or awards. Odegaard won the Premier League Player of the Month award for November/December 2022. He was announced as Arsenal's captain in 2022.

2023 NBA Starry 3-Point Contest: Damian Lillard and Jayson Tatum join All Star event

NBA

19. Casemiro - Manchester United

• Full name: Carlos Henrique Casimiro
• Born: 23 February 1992 in São José dos Campos, State of São Paulo, Brazil
• Age: 30 years (as of February 2023)
• Current teams: Manchester United FC (Midfielder, #18), Brazil national football team (Midfielder, #5)
• 2022/23 stats: 5 goals, 7 assists
• Won: UEFA Super Cup
• Last Ballon d'Or ranking position: New entry

Manchester United's Casemiro started his career with São Paulo, scoring 11 goals in 111 games. He has been in Man-U's squads that won the UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season titles (2016/17), and 2017/18), the UEFA La Liga Team of the Season title (2019/20), and the Copa América Team of the Tournament (2021).

18. Victor Osimhen - Napoli

• Full name: Victor James Osimhen
• Born: 29 December 1998 in Lagos, Nigeria
• Age: 24 years (as of February 2023)
• Current teams: S.S.C. Napoli (Forward, #9), Nigeria national football team (Forward, #9)
• 2022/23 stats: 18 goals, 4 assists
• Last Ballon d'Or ranking position: New entry
• Individual awards: CAF Youth Player of the Year, FIFA U-17 World Cup Silver Ball, FIFA U-17 World Cup Golden Boot, African U-17 Championship Golden Boot, Serie A Best Young Player, Globe Soccer Awards Emerging Player of the Year

Promising Orlando Pirates striker dreams of uniting with Man United coach Benni McCarthy

Football

Nigerian star Victor Osimhen has participated in 27 matches in the Italian Serie A season as a Napoli player, scored 14 goals, and provided two assists. He is currently one of Napoli's highest goal scorers.

17. Vinicius Junior - Real Madrid

• Full name: Vinícius José Paixão de Oliveira Júnio
• Born: 12 July 2000 in São Gonçalo, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
• Age: 22 years (as of February 2023)
• Current teams: Real Madrid FC (Forward, #20), Brazil national football team (Forward, #18)
• 2022/23 stats: 17 goals, 11 assists
• Won: Club World Cup (2022) & UEFA Super Cup (2022)
• Last Ballon d'Or ranking position: 6
• Individual awards: Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior Best Left-Winger, South American U-17 Championship Best Player, UEFA Champions League Young Player of the Season, FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball

Football star Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid is among the 2023 Ballon d'Or rankings favourites. On 11 February, Madrid defeated Al-Hilal 5 - 3 in the 2022 FIFA Club World Cup final. Vinícius scored a brace to claim the tournament's best player award and his second Club World Cup title.

2023 NBA All Star Game: All you need to know about Team LeBron, Team Giannis and the All Star Draft

NBA

16. Marcus Rashford - Manchester United

• Full name: Vinícius José Paixão de Oliveira Júnio
• Born: 31 October 1997 in Manchester, United Kingdom
• Age: 25 years (as of February 2023)
• Current teams: Manchester United FC (Forward, #10), England national football team (Forward, #11)
• 2022/23 stats: 24 goals, 8 assists
• Last Ballon d'Or ranking position: New entry
• Individual awards: Premier League Academy Graduate of the Year Award, Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year, FIFA Foundation Award, PFA Community Champion Award

English player Marcus Rashford is known for his attacking, composure, dribbling, and athleticism. He has scored 14 goals in 24 Premier League matches so far. Marcus has won many awards, including the Expert Panel Special Award in the 2020 BBC Sports Personality of the Year and an Honorary Doctorate Degree from the University of Manchester.

15. Erling Haaland - Manchester City

2023 NBA All-Star Game: Live draft results as Team LeBron and Team Giannis select rosters

NBA

• Full name: Erling Braut Haaland
• Born: 21 July 2000 in Leeds, United Kingdom
• Age: 22 years (as of February 2023)
• Current teams: Manchester City FC (Forward, #9), Norway national football team (Forward)
• 2022/23 stats: 32 goals, 4 assists
• Last Ballon d'Or ranking position: 3
• Individual awards: FIFA U-20 World Cup Golden Boot, Austrian Footballer of the Year, IFFHS Men's World Team, UEFA Champions League top goalscorer, UEFA Nations League top scorer, FIFA FIFPro World11, Norwegian Sportsperson of the Year

Norwegian player Erling Haaland is also among the 20 Ballon d'Or rankings favourites in 2023. The Manchester City forward is known for his speed, strength, and finishing. He won the Golden Boy award in 2020, Bundesliga Player of the Season in 2021, and the FIFA FIFPro World11 in 2021.

14. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia - Napoli

• Full name: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
• Born: 12 February 2001 in Tbilisi, Georgia
• Age: 22 years (as of February 2023)
• Current teams: S.S.C. Napoli (Forward, #77), Georgia national football team (Forward)
• 2022/23 stats: 13 goals, 15 assists
• Last Ballon d'Or ranking position: 10
• Individual honours: Russian Premier League Best Young Player, Russian Premier League Best Left Winger, Georgian Footballer of the Year,

Kolo Muani driving Frankfurt's European dream after World Cup heartbreak

Football

Georgian footballer, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia of Serie A club S.S.C. Napoli, is compared to Maradona in southern Italy. He has received several iconic accolades, including the Serie A Player of the Month (August 2022).

13. Jamal Musiala - Bayern Munich

• Full name: Jamal Musiala
• Born: 26 February 2003 in Stuttgart, Germany
• Age: 19 years (as of February 2023)
• Current teams: FC Bayern Munich (Forward, #42), Germany national football team (Forward, #14)
• 2022/23 stats: 14 goals, 13 assists
• Won: DFL-Supercup (2022)
• Last Ballon d'Or ranking position: 12
• Individual honours: German national Player of the Year (2022), Bundesliga Rookie of the Month (April 2021)

Bayern Munich's forward Jamal Musiala is regarded as one of the best attackers in the world. Fans have nicknamed him "Bambi" because of his excellent and creative dribbling ability. Musiala plays both on the wings and at all positions of the midfield. He has a great eye and feeling for choosing the right spaces.

Arsenal transfer news: Which players did Arsenal bring in during the January transfer window?

Football

12. Bukayo Saka - Arsenal

• Full name: Bukayo Ayoyinka T. M. Saka
• Born: 5 September 2001 in London Borough of Ealing, United Kingdom
• Age: 21 years (as of February 2023)
• Current teams: Arsenal FC (Midfielder, #7), England national football team (Midfielder, #7)
• 2022/23 stats: 11 goals, 10 assists
• Last Ballon d'Or ranking position: 11
• Individual honours: England Men's Player of the Year, Arsenal Player of the Season

English footballer Bukayo Saka plays as a winger, left-back, or midfielder at Arsenal. He was born to Nigerian parents, Adenike and Yomi Saka, of the Yoruba tribe. He has helped Arsenal win several top leagues, including the English Super Cup (2021) and English FA Cup (2022). Saka has become Arsenal's go-to man as they push for the 2023 Premier League title.

11. Jude Bellingham - Borussia Dortmund

• Full name: Jude Victor William Bellingham
• Born: 29 June 2003 in Stourbridge, United Kingdom
• Age: 19 years (as of February 2023)
• Current teams: Borussia Dortmund (Midfielder, #22), England national football team (Midfielder, #22)
• 2022/23 stats: 11 goals, 8 assists
• Last Ballon d'Or ranking position: 13
• Individual honours: Birmingham City Young Player of the Year, EFL Young Player of the Season, VDV Bundesliga Team of the Season, IFFHS Men's World's Best Youth Player

Liverpool transfer news: How much did Liverpool spend this transfer window?

Football

English midfielder Jude Bellingham has played 81 matches with the Bundesliga and won 50. He has been a Borussia Dortmund player in all Bundesliga matches he has participated in. Sadio Mane and Jude Bellingham have been shortlisted for the 2022 Best FIFA Men's Player award.

10. Enzo Fernandez - Chelsea

• Full name: Enzo Jeremías Fernández
• Born: 17 January 2001 in San Martín, Argentina
• Age: 22 years (as of February 2023)
• Current teams: Chelsea FC (Forward, #5), Argentina national football team (Forward, #24)
• 2022/23 stats: 5 goals, 9 assists
• Won: Word Cup (2022)
• Last Ballon d'Or ranking position: 14
• Individual honours: FIFA World Cup Young Player Award 2022

Fernandez is among the most expensive players in Premier League history. During his two appearances with Chelsea, he was voted Young Player of the Tournament at the World Cup. Enzo Fernandez played an essential role in helping Argentina win the third FIFA World Cup in 2022. As a result, he received the Best Young Player award at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

A list of all the past NBA Defensive Player of the Year winners

NBA

9. Julian Alvarez - Manchester City

• Full name: Julian Alvarez
• Born: 31 January 2000 in Calchín, Argentina
• Age: 23 years (as of February 2023)
• Current teams: Manchester City FC (Forward, #19), Argentina national football team (Forward, #27)
• 2022/23 stats: 15 goals, 3 assists
• Won: Word Cup (2022)
• Last Ballon d'Or ranking position: 8
• Individual honours: TM-Player of the season

Argentine star Julian Alvarez has been part of the Man City squad that won the World Cup (2022), CONMEBOL-UEFA Cup (2021/22), Copa América (2020/21), Recopa Sudamericana (2018/19), Copa Libertadores (2017/18). He became one of the world's most decorated footballers in 2022-23 after his World Cup heroics in Qatar.

8. Harry Kane - Tottenham

• Full name: Harry Edward Kane MBE
• Born: 28 July 1993 in Walthamstow, United Kingdom
• Age: 29 years (as of February 2023)
• Current teams: Tottenham Hotspur FC (Forward, #10), England national football team (Forward, #9)
• 2022/23 stats: 22 goals, 6 assists
• Last Ballon d'Or ranking position: 18
• Individual honours: PFA Young Player of the Year, Premier League top goalscorer, UEFA Champions League runner-up

Messi vs Mbappe: Laureus World Sports Awards unveils its nominees

Football

British star Harry Kane broke Tottenham Hotspur's all-time goal record. After an inspiring year with the team, the club's fans voted him the Footballer of the Year for 2022. He also got the Freedom of the City of London award at a special ceremony in January 2023. Kane is the third player in history to score 200 goals in the Premier League.

7. Achraf Hakimi - PSG

• Full name: Achraf Hakimi Mouh
• Born: 4 November 1998 in Madrid, Spain
• Age: 24 years (as of February 2023)
• Current teams: Paris Saint-Germain FC (Defender, #2), Morocco national football team (Defender, #10)
• 2022/23 stats: 5 goals, 5 assists, 15 clean sheets
• Won: Trophee des Champions (2022)
• Last Ballon d'Or ranking position: 19
• Individual honours: CAF Youth Player of the Year, Lion d'Or African Footballer of the Year, Globe Soccer Awards Best Young Arab Player of the Year

Nunez fit to start Liverpool's revenge mission against Real Madrid

Football

Moroccan/Spanish player Achraf Hakimi was a 2022 FIFA World Cup sensation. He won the Best Arab Sportsman award in Saudi Arabia and was awarded for an outstanding 2022 campaign by his club Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). Hakini inspired many in Qatar's World Cup last year.

6. Kylian Mbappe - PSG

• Full name: Kylian Mbappé Lottin
• Born: 20 December 1998 in Paris, France
• Age: 24 years (as of February 2023)
• Current teams: Paris Saint-Germain FC (Forward, #7), France national football team (Forward, #10)
• 2022/23 stats: 34 goals, 8 assists
• Last Ballon d'Or ranking position: 2
• Individual honours: FIFA World Cup Golden Boot, FIFA World Cup Silver Ball, FIFA World Cup Young Player Award, Kopa Trophy, Ligue 1 Top Goalscorer four times, Globe Soccer Best Player of the Year, UEFA Nations League Finals Golden Boot

Mbappe is among the most gifted strikers of his generation. The player has outstanding dribbling abilities, exceptional speed, and finishing. Kylian Mbappé is considered one of the best players to join the Ballon d'Or favourites ranking in 2023. He won the FIFA World Cup Golden Boot and FIFA World Cup Silver Ball awards in 2022.

World rankings of the top 25 women tennis players in 2023

Tennis

5. Robert Lewandowski - Barcelona

• Full name: Robert Lewandoski
• Born: 21 August 1988 in Warsaw, Poland
• Age: 34 years (as of February 2023)
• Current teams: FC Barcelona (Forward, #9), Poland national football team (Forward, #9)
• 2022/23 stats: 25 goals, 8 assists
• Last Ballon d'Or ranking position: 5
• Won: Supercopa de Espana (2022)
• Individual honours: Bundesliga top goal scorer seven times, VDV Bundesliga Player of the Season five times, Polish Footballer of the Year ten times, DFB-Pokal top goal scorer five times, Footballer of the Year in Germany twice, European Golden Shoe twice

Although there is stiff competition, 2023 could be Robert Lewandoski's Ballon d'Or year. The renowned Polish soccer player has many accolades, including the La Liga Player of the Month (October 2022).

4. Kevin De Bruyne - Manchester City

• Full name: Kevin De Bruyne
• Born: 28 June 1991 in Drongen, Ghent, Belgium
• Age: 31 years (as of February 2023)
• Current teams: Manchester City FC (Midfielder, #17), Belgium national football team (Midfielder, #7)
• 2022/23 stats: 4 goals, 18 assists
• Last Ballon d'Or ranking position: 7
• Individual honours: Premier League Playmaker of the Season twice, PFA Players' Player of the Year twice, Manchester City's Player of the Year four times, the UEFA Champions League Midfielder of the Season, the Bundesliga Player of the Year, the Footballer of the Year (Germany), the Belgian Sportsman of the Year

From Amavarara to Sinenkani FC, there have been some strange club names in South African football

Football

Belgian professional footballer Kevin De Bruyne has done almost everything to win the Ballon d'Or award, including helping Manchester City retain the Premier League title in 2022. 2023 could be his year because he finished third in the 2022 Ballon d'Or award rankings.

3. Mohamed Salah - Liverpool

• Full name: Mohamed Salah Hamed Mahrous Ghaly
• Born: 15 June 1992 in Nagrig, Egypt
• Age: 30 years (as of February 2023)
• Current teams: Liverpool FC (Forward, #11), Egypt national football team (Forward, #10)
• 2022/23 goals: 19 goals, 7 assists
• Won: Won Community Shield (2022)
• Last Ballon d'Or ranking position: 9
• Individual honours: PFA Player of the Year, PFA Team of the Year, FWA Men's Footballer of the Year, Premier League Golden Boot, Premier League Playmaker Award

Mo Salah's Ballon d'Or dreams could finally come true in 2023. In 2022, he helped Liverpool win the Community Shield 3-1 against Manchester City. Mo Salah has received several individual awards, including the FWA Footballer of the Year, PFA Player of the Year, and player of the year in Liverpool FC.

Who is the highest-paid coach in the PSL in 2023? Top 10 ranking

Football

2. Neymar - PSG

• Full name: Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior
• Born: 5 February 1992 in Mogi das Cruzes, State of São Paulo, Brazil
• Age: 31 years (as of February 2023)
• Current teams: Paris Saint-Germain FC (Forward, #10), Brazil national football team (Forward, #10)
• 2022/23 goals: 20 goals, 19 assists
• Won: Trophee des Champions (2022)
• Last Ballon d'Or ranking position: 4
• Individual honours: FIFA FIFPro World11, FIFA World Cup Bronze Boot, FIFA Confederations Cup Bronze Shoe, FIFA Confederations Cup Golden Ball, FIFA Club World Cup Bronze Ball, South American Footballer of the Year twice, Campeonato Brasileiro Série A Best Player

PSG's forward Neymar is among the most decorated players in the 21st century. Many worldwide consider him one of the 2023 Ballon d'Or ranking favourites. Some of his best wards are the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A Best Player in 2011.

Top 15 players with the longest wingspans in the NBA as of 2023

NBA

1. Lionel Messi - PSG

• Full name: Lionel Andrés Messi
• Born: 24 June 1987 in Rosario, Argentina
• Age: 35 years (as of February 2023)
• Current teams: Paris Saint-Germain FC (Forward, #30), Argentina national football team (Forward, #10)
• 2022/23 goals: 27 goals, 18 assists
• Won: World Cup (2022) & Trophee des Champions (2022)
• Last Ballon d'Or ranking position: 1
• Individual honours: Argentine Footballer of the Year fifteen times, Pichichi Trophy eight times, La Liga Best Player six times, FIFA World Cup Silver Boot (2022), FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball twice, European Golden Shoe six times, Ballon d'Or/FIFA Ballon d'Or (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021)

2023 could also be Lionel Messi's Ballon d'Or. He remains a big Ballon d'Or favourite for many football fans worldwide. Messi has the most Ballon d'Or awards in history. He won the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year in 2020 and has many more awards.

Zlatan Ibrahimović, Thierry Henry and Neymar among the 10 greatest players never to win coveted Ballon d'Or

Football

Who is most likely to win the Ballon d'Or in 2023?

You can debate who deserves this year's award from this list of the 20 Ballon d'Or favourites in 2023:

1. Lionel Messi - PSG
2. Neymar - PSG
3. Mohamed Salah - Liverpool
4. Kevin De Bruyne - Manchester City
5. Robert Lewandowski - Barcelona
6. Kylian Mbappe - PSG
7. Achraf Hakimi - PSG
8. Harry Kane - Tottenham
9. Julian Alvarez - Manchester City
10. Enzo Fernandez - Chelsea
11. Jude Bellingham - Borussia Dortmund
12. Bukayo Saka - Arsenal
13. Jamal Musiala - Bayern Munich
14. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia - Napoli
15. Erling Haaland - Manchester City
16. Marcus Rashford - Manchester United
17. Vinicius Junior - Real Madrid
18. Victor Osimhen - Napoli
19. Casemiro - Manchester United
20. Martin Odegaard - Arsenal

Who is leading in Ballon d’Or in 2023?

PSG's Lionel Messi has the best 2022/23 domestic season performance record than that of Ballon d’Or 2023 award competitors. In other words, his Stats Perform record is way better than the stats of the other Ballon d’Or 2023 favourites.

AC Milan's 2023/24 lineup: new players, transfer news, coaches, owners, captain

Football

Who has won the most Ballon d’Or trophies?

Lionel Messi has won the most Ballon d’Or trophies in football history. He has bagged the award seven times (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021).

Who is No 1 for Ballon d’Or?

Lionel Messi leads with seven Ballon d’Or awards. The Argentinian soccer star has won the most Ballons d'Or in history.

How many Ballon d’Or trophies has Cristiano Ronaldo won?

Ronaldo has won the Ballon d’Or five times (2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017).

What is the 2023 Ballon d'Or date and time?

The 2023 Ballon d’Or awards ceremony's date and time will be set late this year. Moreover, bookies have not shortlisted their favourites to win the 2023 Ballon d’Or.

Who votes for the Ballon d'Or winner?

One hundred journalists from FIFA's top 100 nations vote for the Ballon d'Or winner. They select the five best players from the 30-man Ballon d'Or rankings shortlist, and whoever garners the most points wins. The first usually gets 6 points, the second receives 4 points, and the third gets 3.

Nikola Jokić's contract, salary, wife, brothers, height, age, and MVPs

NBA

The Ballon d'Or rankings in 2023 have the best players in the world. Competition is stiff this year because the top favourites to win the prestigious award maintained excellent stats in major leagues throughout 2022.

READ ALSO: Luis Suárez's net worth, contract, Instagram, salary, house, cars, age, stats, latest news

Sportsbrief.com published the biography of former Barcelona and Atletico Madrid star Luis Suarez. He is among the best strikers of his generation.

Suarez 's goal-scoring exploits have earned him numerous awards and titles. The Uruguayan player has also made a lot of wealth from his career.