The 5 candidates to win the Ballon d’Or

The Ballon d’Or, football’s most prestigious individual award, is approaching fast. This year, the competition is fiercer than ever. We analyze the top five contenders vying for the title, highlighting their remarkable performances, individual brilliance, and impact on their respective teams. From goal-scoring prodigies to midfield maestros, who will emerge as the worthy Ballon d’Or recipient in 2023?

This Monday, October 28, at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, France, the annual gala of the Ballon d’Or, in which France Football magazine recognizes the best player of the season. It will be a different edition, because among the 30 nominees for the award do not appear Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, who were interspersed between 2008 and 2023 (except for 2018, when Luka Modric won, and 2022, when Karim Benzema won). There is no clear winner among the candidates, although Vinícius Jr. seems to take the lead.

5th: Harry Kane

The English striker played last season at Bayern Munich and shone with 36 goals in the last Bundesliga. In addition, he scored 8 goals in the UEFA Champions League. But it is true that Kane could not be champion in a team that is used to winning titles. Bayer Leverkusen eclipsed them in Germany by winning the league unbeaten and the Real Madrid it did so at the European level, however, Kane took the Golden Boot and it cannot be ruled out of the competition for the Ballon d’Or.

The Frenchman is indisputably one of the best footballers in the world, but when the 2023-24 season is judged, he may not be the most outstanding. However, he excelled: he won Ligue 1 with Paris Saint-Germain (he scored 27 goals) and reached the semifinals of the European Championship. Mbappé lacked an important title or a superlative performance like the one he was able to show more than once to take the Ballon d’Or. However, it competes.

3rd: Jude Bellingham

He was the best of the first semester, scoring many goals in his new team, the Real Madrid, recently arrived in Spain. He shone with play, important goals and was the White House’s top scorer in the league. But the second period of the season lowered his level, although the team helped him and lifted two titles: LaLiga and the UEFA Champions League. Which makes it really competitive in the fight for the prize.

2nd: Rodri

With less press than the strikers, Rodri was one of the best of the year, without a doubt, and he has the plus that the titles have accompanied him. The central midfielder is a key player in Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City and this year he was also key in the Spanish National Team. In 2023-24, Rodri was champion of the Premier League, the Community Shield and the European Championship and is obviously fighting for the Ballon d’Or.

1st: Vinícius Jr.

He seems to be the candidate who has the advantage. Vinícius Jr. He excelled last season with 24 goals and 10 assists in the Real Madrid and above all with important goals, such as the one in the UEFA Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund. He did not have a good level in the Copa America with Brazil, but he was champion with his team of both the Spanish league and the Champions League. The Brazilian, by dint of speed and dribbling, seems to be shaping up to be the best of the last twelve months.

People Also Ask:

Q: What is the Ballon d’Or?

A: The Ballon d’Or is an annual football award presented by France Football magazine to the best male player in the world.

Q: Who was the last winner of the Ballon d’Or?

A: Karim Benzema won the Ballon d’Or in 2022.

Q: Who are some of the most famous Ballon d’Or winners?

A: Lionel Messi (holds the record with seven wins), Cristiano Ronaldo (five wins), Johan Cruyff (three wins), Michel Platini (three wins), and Diego Maradona (one win).

Q: When is the Ballon d’Or ceremony held?

A: The ceremony usually takes place in late autumn or early winter.

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