Ballon d’Or: Ranking the Top 6 Favourites As Haaland Overtakes Messi for July 2023

It is given to the football player who has had the best season by the French news publication France Football.

The Ballon d'Or has developed into a symbol of the highest level of individual achievement in football over time.

As previously reported by Sports Brief, a combination of votes from media representatives, captains of the national teams, and coaches determines the Ballon d'Or winner.

The privilege of taking home the Ballon d'Or has only been afforded to the greatest players to ever lace up a pair of boots.

The Ballon d'Or race is thrilling this year, and it's hard to predict who will win the prestigious award, Goal reported.

Vinicius Junior

Vinicius has advanced from being the underdog to a determined and resolute candidate for the 2023 Ballon d'Or award.

There is still some way to go before he becomes a ‘favourite’, but his performances last season have closed the gap with those deemed ahead of him.

In the 2022/23 campaign, the Brazilian established himself as one of the most in-form players.

According to Soccerway, the electrifying winger had the best scoring season of his career last season, scoring 23 goals in all competitions, surpassing the 22 of the 2021/22 season.

In total, he participated in 42 of the team’s 121 goals, a massive 35%, per Diario AS.

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Rodri

Rodri has done enough to warrant a place on the Ballon d'Or podium this year. Currently, he is regarded as the world's best-holding midfielder.

Thanks to his exceptional game intelligence and superb technical abilities, the Spaniard can perform the duties of two midfielders without even breaking a sweat.

He started more games across all competitions than his teammates during the 2022–23 season as a dependable and consistent performer for City.

The 26-year-old also scored the winning goal against Inter Milan in the Champions League final.

After completing the continental treble with City, Rodri went on to play a significant part in leading Spain to victory in the UEFA Nations League in June.

Kevin De Bruyne

Kevin De Bruyne, the brains behind Manchester City, had yet another outstanding season to add to his impressive resume.

The Belgian midfielder is still going strong in his 30s. He has now essentially established himself as the best midfielder of his generation.

De Bruyne was outstanding for City this season and was essential to their European treble victory. During the 2022–23 season, he made 49 appearances for the Cityzens across all competitions, recording 10 goals and an astounding 31 assists.

Kylian Mbappe

For Mbappe, the 2022–23 season had the potential to be truly memorable, but it fell just short.

On an individual level, the Frenchman had a very successful season, but the disappointment of the World Cup final and an early Champions League exit have marred it.

At the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Mbappe took home the Golden Boot award and even scored an incredible hat trick against Argentina in the championship match.

For PSG in the 2022–23 season, the 24-year-old made 43 appearances across all competitions, making 41 starts and contributing ten assists. Although he is in the running for the Ballon d'Or this year, he likely will not win it.

Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi gave it everything he had in the 2022–23 season. He led Argentina to victory at the World Cup and took the Golden Ball home with him.

Messi was also in excellent form for Paris Saint-Germain, making 41 appearances across all competitions while tallying 21 goals and 20 assists.

He has had a fantastic season and has a good chance of becoming the biggest individual winner in football this year.

Erling Haaland

Erling Haaland's potential to defeat Messi for the 2023 Ballon d'Or remains debatable.

But if anyone could pull it off, it would be him. The 2022–23 campaign for Haaland has been incredible, to put it mildly.

In 53 appearances for Manchester City in all competitions, the Norwegian scored a staggering 52 goals and provided nine assists as they won the continental treble.

Haaland, who is only 22 years old, still has a whole football career ahead of him and has a chance to go down as one of the all-time greats.

It would be a fitting beginning to the journey if he won the Ballon d'Or in his first season in the Premier League.

Ballon d’Or winner odds

Sports Brief reported earlier that the 2023 Ballon d’Or winner will be named in October, and many believe the prestigious award belongs to either Lionel Messi or Erling Haaland.

The prestigious prize is the most desired by any player. The winner is determined by a panel of experts, international coaches, and captains.

The rules changed in 2022, as the award is now presented to the best player in a football season instead of a calendar year.