The 2023 Ballon d’Or is just around the corner, and it’s time to get excited about the world’s most prestigious football award. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about this event, from where to watch it to who the top contenders are. Let’s dive in!
How to Watch
When: The Ballon d’Or ceremony is on [Date], starting at 6:00 PM UK time.
Where: You can watch the ceremony live on TNTsports.co.uk. Additionally, it will be available on TNT Sports 2 and discovery+.
Note: The BT Sport app has closed, so remember to use the recommended platforms for the live stream.
Who’s in the Running?
This year’s list of Ballon d’Or nominees is filled with incredible talent. Here are some of the top players to keep an eye on:
1. Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi, a seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, is the favorite to win his eighth. His remarkable performances, including a World Cup win with Argentina, make him a strong contender.
2. Karim Benzema
Karim Benzema, the former Real Madrid star, is the current Golden Ball holder. He’ll be aiming to retain the title against tough competition.
3. Jude Bellingham
The young English sensation, Jude Bellingham, is looking to make history by winning the Ballon d’Or. His outstanding displays for both club and country put him in contention.
4. Erling Haaland
Erling Haaland, the star from Manchester City’s treble-winning team, is also a player to watch. His goal-scoring prowess could pose a real threat to Messi’s chances.
Who Can Stop Messi?
While Messi is the favorite, there are players who could stand in his way. Manchester City’s treble winners, in particular, could cause an upset. England’s Jude Bellingham is another rising star who hopes to make history.
The Exclusive Club
Only nine players in football history have achieved the incredible feat of winning the World Cup, the UEFA Champions League, and the Ballon d’Or. Here’s a list of these legendary figures:
- Sir Bobby Charlton (Manchester United & England)
- Franz Beckenbauer (Bayern Munich & Germany)
- Gerd Muller (Bayern Munich & Germany)
- Paolo Rossi (Juventus & Italy)
- Zinedine Zidane (Juventus & France)
- Rivaldo (Milan & Brazil)
- Ronaldinho (Barcelona & Brazil)
- Kaka (Milan & Brazil)
- Lionel Messi (Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain & Argentina)
Their remarkable achievements have left an indelible mark on the footballing world.
HERE ARE ALL THE BALLON D'OR NOMINEES! 🌕✨#ballondor pic.twitter.com/hg1ZByzhDV
— Ballon d'Or #ballondor (@ballondor) September 6, 2023
The Best Goalkeeper Award
The Yachine Trophy, named after legendary Soviet Union goalkeeper Lev Yashin, is awarded to the best goalkeeper. This year’s shortlist includes:
- Alisson (Liverpool)
- Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG and Italy)
- Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid)
- Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal)
- Andre Onana (Manchester United)
- Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa)
The competition for this award is fierce, and it’s anyone’s game.
Here are all the nominees for this year Yachine Trophy and the Kopa Trophy!
Who deserve to win?#ballondor #trophéeyachine #trophéeKopa pic.twitter.com/SwORJ67jzX
— Ballon d'Or #ballondor (@ballondor) October 30, 2023
MEN’S BALLON D’OR 2023 NOMINEES
| Player | Club |
|---|---|
| Josko Gvardiol | Manchester City |
| Andre Onana | Manchester United |
| Karim Benzema | Al Ittihad |
| Jamal Musiala | Bayern Munich |
| Mohamed Salah | Liverpool |
| Jude Bellingham | Real Madrid |
| Bukayo Saka | Arsenal |
| Randal Kolo Muani | Paris Saint Germain |
| Kevin De Bruyne | Manchester City |
| Bernardo Silva | Manchester City |
| Khvicha Kvaratskhelia | Napoli |
| Emiliano Martinez | Aston Villa |
| Ruben Dias | Manchester City |
| Nicola Barella | Inter Milan |
| Erling Haaland | Manchester City |
| Yassine Bounou | Al Hilal |
| Martin Odegaard | Arsenal |
| Julian Alvarez | Manchester City |
| Ilkay Gundogan | Barcelona |
| Vinicius Jr | Real Madrid |
| Robert Lewandowski | Barcelona |
| Antoine Griezmann | Atletico Madrid |
| Lautaro Martinez | Inter Milan |
| Lionel Messi | Inter Miami |
| Rodri | Manchester City |
| Kylian Mbappe | Paris Saint Germain |
| Kim Min-Jae | Bayern Munich |
| Victor Osimhen | Napoli |
| Luka Modric | Real Madrid |
| Harry Kane | Bayern Munich |
Remembering Sir Bobby Charlton
Sir Bobby Charlton, an icon of Manchester United and English football, won the Ballon d’Or in 1966. His contribution to the sport is celebrated globally. Sadly, his recent passing at the age of 86 has left a void in the football community.
Unforgettable UEFA Champions League Moments
The UEFA Champions League always brings us memorable moments. One such moment was Andre Onana’s dramatic last-minute save for Manchester United in their match against FC Copenhagen. Relive the excitement of that game and witness the incredible skills of the best goalkeepers.
🏆 On the subject of Ballon d'Or winners…
🥇 Here is Sir Stanley Matthews winning the first ever Ballon d'Or in 1956.
🍊 #UTMP pic.twitter.com/WK32n3x1Ei
— Blackpool FC (@BlackpoolFC) November 30, 2021
Is the Messi vs. Ronaldo Rivalry Over?
The rivalry between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who have dominated the Ballon d’Or for over a decade, may be coming to an end. Both are now playing outside of Europe, and there’s a chance that a new player could break their long-standing hegemony. Football history might be in the making.
Women’s Ballon d’Or: Aitana Bonmati’s Chances
In the women’s category, Spain’s World Cup winner Aitana Bonmati is the favorite to succeed Alexia Putellas. Her outstanding performances in Australia and New Zealand have earned her the Golden Ball.
The fanciest of feet from Aitana Bonmatí ✨
The Barcelona midfielder continued her impressive #FIFAWWC as Spain progressed to the quarter-final… pic.twitter.com/wvucTQf5e0
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) August 5, 2023
WOMEN’S BALLON D’OR FÉMININ 2023 NOMINEES
| Player | Club |
|---|---|
| Alba Redondo | Levante Union Deportiva |
| Kadidiatou Diani | Lyon |
| Rachel Daly | Aston Villa |
| Linda Caicedo | Real Madrid |
| Fridolina Rolfo | Barcelona |
| Olga Carmona | Real Madrid |
| Amanda Ilestedt | Arsenal |
| Hayley Raso | Real Madrid |
| Georgia Stanway | Bayern Munich |
| Sophia Smith | Portland Thorns |
| Hinata Miyazawa | Manchester United |
| Salma Paralluelo | Barcelona |
| Lena Oberdorf | Wolfsburg |
| Millie Bright | Chelsea |
| Daphne van Domselaar | Aston Villa |
| Sam Kerr | Chelsea |
| Patricia Guijarro | Barcelona |
| Ewa Pajor | Wolfsburg |
| Debinha | Kansas City |
| Guro Reiten | Chelsea |
| Yui Hasegawa | Manchester City |
| Aitana Bonmati | Barcelona |
| Jill Roord | Manchester City |
| Alexandria Popp | Wolfsburg |
| Katie McCabe | Arsenal |
| Mary Earps | Manchester United |
| Wendie Renard | Lyon |
| Mapi Leon | Barcelona |
| Asisat Oshoala | Barcelona |
| Khadija Shaw | Manchester City |
YACHINE TROPHY 2023 NOMINEES
| Player | Club |
|---|---|
| Emiliano Martinez | Aston Villa |
| Mike Maignan | AC Milan |
| Thibaut Courtois | Real Madrid |
| Aaron Ramsdale | Arsenal |
| Yasssine Bounou | Al Hilal |
| Andre Onana | Manchester United |
| Dominik Livakovic | Fenerbahce |
| Marc-Andre Ter Stegen | Barcelona |
| Ederson | Manchester City |
| Brice Samba | Lens |
Harry Kane’s Pursuit of UEFA Champions League Glory
Ballon d’Or nominee Harry Kane is on a quest to achieve European football’s top prize with Bayern Munich. His journey is filled with anticipation and excitement, and football experts are closely following his prospects.
Robert Lewandowski’s Spectacular Finish
Robert Lewandowski, the striker for Barcelona and Poland, finished second behind Lionel Messi in 2021. He’s once again on the 30-man shortlist for the Ballon d’Or. His incredible skills and goal-scoring abilities make him a top contender.
Kopa Trophy Nominees
The Kopa Trophy, awarded to the best young player, has some exceptional talent on the shortlist. Real Madrid’s 20-year-old star, Jude Bellingham, is among the favorites. He came second in the 2021 vote and is up against other promising talents.
| Player | Club |
|---|---|
| Rasmus Hojlund | Manchester United |
| Jamal Musiala | Bayern Munich |
| Alejandro Balde | Barcelona |
| Pedri | Barcelona |
| Jude Bellingham | Real Madrid |
| Antonio Silva | Benfica |
| Eduardo Camavinga | Real Madrid |
| Xavi Simons | RB Leipzig |
| Gavi | Barcelona |
| Elye Wahi | Lens |
How to Watch the 2023 Ballon d’Or
For those wondering how to watch the 2023 Ballon d’Or, we’ve got all the details you need. The ceremony will be live-streamed for free on TNTsports.co.uk. You can also catch it on TNT Sports 2 and discovery+ from 6 pm on Monday evening. Will Lionel Messi secure an expected eighth crown, or will Erling Haaland, the treble-winning sensation from Manchester City, emerge as a surprise winner?
Last Year’s Winner
In the 2022 Ballon d’Or, Karim Benzema claimed the award after an outstanding season with Real Madrid. His performances helped his team secure the La Liga title and the UEFA Champions League.
Expert Opinions on the Winner
Football experts have varying opinions on who should win the Ballon d’Or. Some argue that Lionel Messi’s World Cup triumph makes him the standout candidate, while others believe Erling Haaland is a worthy contender. The debate is fierce, and it will be fascinating to see who ultimately claims the title.
🥇 Who should win the Ballon d'Or? #UCL pic.twitter.com/ef2el6EkNs
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) October 30, 2023
City Dominance at the Ballon d’Or
Manchester City’s historic treble campaign of UEFA Champions League, Premier League, and FA Cup glory has been reflected with seven players nominated for the Ballon d’Or. The team’s remarkable achievements in the past season have not gone unnoticed.
Ronaldo’s Night Out at the Boxing
Cristiano Ronaldo, a previous Ballon d’Or winner, may not be in contention this year, but he continues to enjoy his time outside of football. He was spotted at a heavyweight boxing event in Riyadh, watching Tyson Fury’s victory. Ronaldo’s impact extends beyond the pitch.
How Do the Bookmakers See It?
Bookmakers currently favor Lionel Messi to claim the Ballon d’Or for an eighth time. His World Cup win has significantly boosted his chances. The odds suggest that he has an over 80% chance of securing the award. While Messi is the frontrunner, surprises are always possible in football.
In Conclusion
The 2023 Ballon d’Or promises to be an exciting event filled with anticipation and surprises. Whether Lionel Messi secures his eighth title or a dark horse emerges as the winner, one thing is certain – this is a night that football fans around the world eagerly await.
Stay tuned for the live stream and witness the crowning of the world’s best footballer for the year 2023.
