2023 Ballon d’Or Award Shortlist: Erling Haaland Among 12 Premier League Players Nominated

• Twelve Premier League players have been shortlisted for the 2023 Ballon d’Or award
• Seven of those play for Manchester City, including top contender Erling Haaland
• Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka were nominated after Arsenal’s title push last season

The nominations for the 2023 Ballon d'Or award have finally been revealed, and several Premier League stars were included on the list.

Manchester City were well represented on the prestigious list, with seven of their players included after the club’s historic treble success this year.

Sports Brief looks at the players in the English top flight who made the shortlist.

Erling Haaland (Manchester City)

Haaland is Lionel Messi’s main rival for the top award after he enjoyed an unbelievable debut season for Manchester City.

The 22-year-old netted 52 goals in 53 games for City in the 2022/23 campaign.

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He scored a record 36 goals in the Premier League, bagged a dozen goals in the Champions League, netted three goals in the FA Cup, and had one goal in the Carabao Cup.

Julian Alvarez (Manchester City)

Alvarez made history last season, becoming the first player to win the FIFA World Cup and the treble in the same campaign.

He was part of the Argentina side that triumphed over France in the World Cup final last December. He added three more trophies after City won the Premier League, FA Cup, and the Champions League this year.

Rodri (Manchester City)

Rodri etched his place in Manchester City lore when he scored the winning goal in the Champions League final against Inter Milan.

He is undoubtedly one of the club’s key players. No outfield player featured more for the treble winners in the Premier League last season, and no player won more duels, completed more passes, or had more touches than Rodri, per ESPN.

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Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)

De Bruyne had another brilliant campaign for City in the 2022/23 Premier League season, scoring seven goals and delivering 16 assists.

He also scored twice for City during their title run in the Champions League.

Ruben Dias (Manchester City)

Dias cemented his status as one of the best central defenders in world football with his performances for City in the 2022/23 season.

He featured 43 times for Manchester City in all competitions last season. He was a vital cog in City’s Champions League win, playing in every minute of their knockout campaign.

Bernardo Silva (Manchester City)

The Portuguese star made the Ballon d’Or shortlist for the third time in his illustrious career, having also been nominated for the award in 2019 and 2022.

He scored four goals and dished out five assists in the 2022-23 Premier League season.

He also netted thrice for City during their title run in the Champions League.

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Josko Gvardiol (Manchester City)

One of City’s newest signings also made the list, with Gvardiol being recognised for his contributions to RB Leipzig last season and Croatia in the World Cup last year.

He helped the German club finish third in the Bundesliga, making 30 appearances for them last campaign.

Gvardiol also helped Croatia win the bronze medal at the 2022 Qatar World Cup.

Martin Odegaard (Arsenal)

Odegaard was also nominated for the Ballon d’Or after scoring 15 goals and delivering seven assists for Arsenal in the Premier League last season.

He is the first Arsenal central midfielder to score that many goals in a Premier League campaign since Cesc Fabregas in the 2009-10 season.

Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)

Saka was also instrumental in Arsenal’s push for the title last season, scoring 15 Premier League goals and providing 11 assists in the competition.

He was recently crowned the 2022/23 PFA Young Player of the Year.

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Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)

The Egyptian star was also included on the 30-man shortlist for the award. He scored 19 goals and delivered 12 assists for Liverpool in the 2022-23 Premier League season.

Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa)

Martinez helped Argentina win their third World Cup last year, starring in two penalty shootout victories in the tournament, including the final against France.

He made a stunning save in the dying minutes of extra time that prevented France from winning their second straight World Cup title.

Andre Onana (Manchester United)

One of United’s newest signings also made the list, with Onana being recognised for his contributions to Inter Milan last season.

He helped the Italian club reach the Champions League final last season.

The Cameroonian star established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in Europe, conceding only 36 goals in 41 games at Internazionale and keeping 19 clean sheets.

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Sports Brief recently reported on why Messi will beat Haaland to the 2023 Ballon d'Or award.

The main reason why the Argentine star will claim his record eighth Ballon d'Or title is his World Cup win.

He contributed heavily to La Albiceleste's win, scoring crucial goals throughout Argentina's World Cup campaign.