Ballon d’Or Announce Criteria of Selecting Winner Ahead of 2023 Race Pitting Messi, Haaland

• Ballon d'Or has released the criteria that will be used to determine this year's winner
• Lionel Messi and Aitana Bonmati are the perceived frontrunners to win the main awards
• Erling Haaland's treble-winning season will also come into question

Ballon d'Or has reiterated the criteria they will use before announcing the winner of this year's award next week.

The gala ceremony will go down at the iconic Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, France, with Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland leading the race.

Aitana Bonmati is the overwhelming favourite to win the Women's Ballon d'Or and take over from her teammate Alexia Putellas.

In a post on its social media handles, the Ballon d'Or has released a list of three things that the winner must have. Sports Brief attempts to break down each of the criteria in relation to each of the perceived frontrunners.

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1. Individual performance, crucial actions and impressive on-field behaviour

The jury will deliberate on who had a better individual performance in the 2022/2023 season. Haaland's 52 goals in 53 appearances give him a head start as far as individual performances are concerned.

Messi scored 20 goals in Ligue 1 and the Champions League combined.

2. Vital role in the team and honours

Messi won the World Cup, which will be his biggest bargaining chip. He was involved in every goal his side scored in Qatar from the knockout stage. The Argentine also won the Ligue 1 and the French Cup.

On the other hand, Haaland led Manchester City to the treble, including the first Champions League title in the club's history.

The term 'vital role' will be under the discretion of the jury.

3. Be fair-play and classy on-field

Both Messi and Haaland have near-perfect disciplinary records. Neither received a red card in the period that will be under scrutiny.

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Messi was, however, involved in a fierce tiff with Louis Van Gaal during the World Cup quarterfinals. The tempestuous match ended with the former Barcelona captain confronting the Dutch coach before reportedly insulting Wout Weghorst, as reported by GOAL.

How much money do Ballon d'Or winners get?

Sports Brief has also reported that the award is one of the few trophies that doesn't include a monetary value attached to it. In fact, there is no known prize from the French magazine for all the previous winners.

Just like half-time performers at the Super Bowl aren't paid in the same vein, the benefits that come with winning the Ballon d'Or are massive.