Ballon d’Or 2023 Betting – All You Need to Know

by Luke Andrews, 8 September 2023

The Ballon d’Or awards ceremony is a highlight in the football calendar as the best player is announced to the world. Last year, Karim Benzema scooped the award, ending the long reign of the Messi/Ronaldo era. Messi is the bookie’s favourite to reclaim his title after winning the World Cup with Argentina. He, however, is likely to face stiff competition from Manchester City’s Erling Haaland. Join me as I preview October’s showcase event.

Although football is a team game, the prestigious Ballon d’Or recognises the outstanding individuals in the game. The Ballon d’Or literally translates to ‘Golden Ball,’ is a yearly football accolade that the French publication France Football has been bestowed since its inception in 1956. The award is popular with football betting fans who each year take in Ballon D’Or betting.

For a period between 2010 and 2015, the award was amalgamated with FIFA’s World Player of the Year (established in 1991) under the title FIFA Ballon d’Or. This collaboration was dissolved in 2016, leading to the restoration of the original Ballon d’Or title, while FIFA resumed its independent annual honour known as The Best FIFA Men’s Player. Both awarding bodies acknowledge winners of the combined FIFA Ballon d’Or. The Ballon d’Or is universally esteemed as the most distinguished and coveted individual accolade in football.

The brainchild of sports journalists Gabriel Hanot and Jacques Ferran, the Ballon d’Or was designed to celebrate the male footballer who has exhibited the most outstanding performance over the preceding year. The selection is made through a voting process involving football reporters and was initially limited to European players from 1956 until 2006. Known originally as the European Footballer of the Year award, its scope was broadened in 1995 to encompass players of any nationality who have been active in European clubs.

Ballon d’Or Betting Odds

The best UK betting sites feel that only one player is realistically going to win football’s top individual prize. Lionel Messi. 888sport are pricing him at 1/16 to make it a record eight titles after wins in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015 and 2019.

Odds-wise, the bookmakers feel the only real competition for the award comes from Manchester City’s goal machine, Erling Haaland. The 23-year-old has already broken records, scoring an incredible 162 goals in 175 appearances. The youngster was pivotal in the Manchester City team that won the Champions League, Premier League and the FA Cup. The Norway international has started this campaign in the same clinical manner as he finished the last. He scored a vital goal in Manchester City’s 2-1 win over Sheffield United and claimed a hat-trick and an assist in the 5-1 demolition of Fulham last weekend.

City’s Erling Haaland is among 12 Premier League players nominated this year. England’s Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, Harry Kane, and seven Manchester City players are on the 30-man shortlist for the 2023 Ballon d’Or.

Argentina legend Lionel Messi is the overwhelming favourite to win and extend his record to eight Ballons d’Or after winning the World Cup.

Midfielder Bellingham and striker Kane both moved clubs this summer – to Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, respectively.

Treble-winning Manchester City are represented by record-breaking goalscorer Haaland, Kevin de Bruyne, Ruben Dias, World Cup winner Julian Alvarez, Bernardo Silva, Rodri and Josko Gvardiol. Croatia defender Gvardiol was not at City last season, but Ilkay Gundogan, now at Barcelona, was, and he also makes the shortlist.

The other Premier League nominees are Arsenal’s Saka and Martin Odegaard, Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah, Manchester United keeper Andre Onana and Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.

Two players left European clubs this summer – Messi, who joined Inter Miami from Paris St-Germain, and current holder Karim Benzema, who left Real Madrid for Al-Ittihad.

Five-time winner Cristiano Ronaldo, who plays for Al-Nassr, was not nominated for the first time since 2003.

Bellingham, who joined Real from Borussia Dortmund this summer, is one of 10 nominees for the Best Young Player award, the Kopa Trophy.

Hola Madridistas!🤍 It is the proudest day of my life to join the greatest club in the history of the game. I will give absolutely everything I have to help this team win. Thank you for the amazing welcome. HALA MADRID!!!🤍🤍🤍 pic.twitter.com/MVdArVXMQf

— Jude Bellingham (@BellinghamJude) June 15, 2023

New Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund is also nominated.

Arsenal and England’s Aaron Ramsdale is one of four Premier League goalkeepers on the 10-man shortlist for the Yashin Trophy for the world’s best keeper.

Onana, Manchester City’s Ederson and Aston Villa’s Martinez, a World Cup winner with Argentina, are the others.

Ballon D’Or 2023 – Manchester City’s Overwhelming Presence

Fresh off a treble-winning season, Manchester City has a staggering seven players on the shortlist. The list includes their record-breaking goal scorer Erling Haaland, midfield maestro Kevin de Bruyne, defensive stalwart Ruben Dias, and World Cup winner Julian Alvarez. Other City players making the cut are Bernardo Silva, Rodri, and Josko Gvardiol, a Croatian defender who joined the team this season.

Ballon D’Or 2023 – The Messi Factor

Lionel Messi, the Argentine legend, is the odds-on favourite to clinch his eighth Ballon d’Or. This comes after his monumental achievement of winning the World Cup. The legendary forward was the perfect answer to France’s not-so-secret weapon, Kylian Mbappe.

Mbappe may have scored a hat-trick in the 2022 World Cup final, becoming only the second to do so in a men’s World Cup final after Geoff Hurst for England in 1966. Still, the 36-year-old scored two, and Messi earned the title of “Man of the Match” and secured his second Golden Ball accolade following his first win in 2014, making him the sole player to have received this honour on two occasions.

He also clinched the Silver Boot as the tournament’s second-highest goal scorer, netting seven goals. By participating in the final, Messi marked his 26th World Cup match, thereby overtaking Lothar Matthäus for the most appearances in World Cup history.

No way It was Lionel Messi who scored PSG’s last free kick, Argentina’s last free kick, Inter Miami’s last Free Kick & Barcelona’s last Free-kick 🤯🐐 pic.twitter.com/3ZoWGLMwSW

— ACE (@FCB_ACEE) September 8, 2023

Interestingly, Messi moved to Inter Miami from Paris St-Germain this summer.

Ballon d’Or 2023 – Other Notable Nominees

The list also features players who have recently left European clubs. Karim Benzema, the current holder of the Ballon d’Or, has moved from Real Madrid to Al-Ittihad. Surprisingly, Cristiano Ronaldo, a five-time winner, is absent from the nominations for the first time since 2003.

The 38-year-old’s move to Al Nassr FC seems to have ended his Ballon D’Or ambitions. The veteran has been in fine form throughout this year. The former Real Madrid legend and Manchester United man scored five goals in three games for Portugal and has found the net six times in three games at club level.

Ballon D’Or 2023 – Young Talent and Goalkeeping Excellence

Jude Bellingham is also a contender for the Kopa Trophy, awarded to the best young player. New Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund joins him in this category.

Regarding goalkeepers, four from the Premier League are vying for the Yashin Trophy, named after the legendary Russian goalkeeper Lev Yashin, who was nicknamed the “Black Spider” or the “Black Panther” and is widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers ever.

The others include Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale, Manchester City’s Ederson, and Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez, who recently won the World Cup with Argentina.

Ballon D’Or 2023 – The Complete List of Nominees

The shortlist is rounded out by players from various leagues and nations, including Mohamed Salah from Liverpool, Martin Odegaard from Arsenal, and Andre Onana from Manchester United. Other international stars like Antoine Griezmann, Robert Lewandowski, and Kylian Mbappe also find their names on this illustrious list.

• Josko Gvardiol (Manchester City, Croatia)
• Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich, Germany)
• Andre Onana (Manchester United, Cameroon)
• Karim Benzema (Al-Ittihad, France)
• Mohamed Salah (Liverpool, Egypt)
• Bukayo Saka (Arsenal, England)
• Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City, Belgium)
• Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid, England)
• Randal Kolo Muani (Paris St-Germain, France)
• Bernardo Silva (Manchester City, Portugal)
• Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Napoli, Georgia)
• Nicolo Barella (Inter Milan, Italy)
• Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa, Argentina)
• Ruben Dias (Manchester City, Portugal)
• Erling Haaland (Manchester City, Norway)
• Martin Odegaard (Arsenal, Norway)
• Ilkay Gundogan (Barcelona, Germany)
• Yassine Bounou (Sevilla, Morocco)
• Julian Alvarez (Manchester City, Argentina)
• Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid, Brazil)
• Rodri (Manchester City, Spain)
• Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid, France)
• Lionel Messi (Inter Miami, Argentina)
• Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan, Argentina)
• Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona, Poland)
• Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich, South Korea)
• Luka Modric (Real Madrid, Croatia)
• Kylian Mbappe (Paris St-Germain, France)
• Harry Kane (Bayern Munich, England)
• Victor Osimhen (Napoli, Nigeria)

Ballon d’Or – Selected Player Profiles

In this section, we will take a closer look at some of the nominated players for the ultimate prize in individual football honours and the bookmaker’s favourites in the Ballon d’Or betting market.

Josko Gvardiol (Manchester City, Croatia)

Current Club: Manchester City

Nationality: Croatian

Position: Defender

Age: 21

Career Highlights • Emerged from Dinamo Zagreb’s youth academy. • A key player in Croatia’s UEFA Euro campaign. • Joined Manchester City in 2022 and quickly became a defensive stalwart.

Man City boss Pep Guardiola bought a jewels!

Repeat watch Gvardiol turn… 😮‍💨pic.twitter.com/mdwwa0CmtB

— Premier League Boss (@EPLBoss) September 6, 2023

Gvardiol finished sixth place in the 2022 Kopa Trophy, enjoying his time at German side RB Leipzig. The defender had a career-defining year, especially on the international stage, delivering exceptional performances at the 2022 World Cup as a prominent, recognisable figure with his face mask. He scored Croatia’s goal in the third-place playoff encounter against Morocco, delivering a man-of-the-match performance. Gvardiol was the favourite for the FIFA Young Player Award Argentina star Enzo Fernandez won.

Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich, Germany)

Current Club: Bayern Munich

Nationality: German

Position: Midfielder

Age: 20

Career Highlights • He left Chelsea to join Bayern Munich at the age of 16. • He scored a goal for Bayern Munich at the age of 17 years and 205 days, becoming Bayern’s youngest goal scorer. • He scored a goal in the 89th minute to clinch Bayern’s consecutive 11th league cup.

Bayern Munich’s youngest goal scorer, aged 17 years and 205 days, came to the limelight in the 2020-21 season. He has since flourished with his agile dribbling and amazing footballing brain, which has seen him become a regular for club and country. Last season, he was the runner-up in the top scorer chat for Bayern Munich behind Serge Gnabry with twelve goals. Musiala was the player who scored the title-winning goal in the eighty-ninth minute to beat FC Koln 2 – 1 and clinch their eleventh consecutive title.

Andre Onana (Manchester United, Cameroon)

Current Club: Manchester United

Nationality: Cameroonian

Position: Goal Keeper

Age: 27

Career Highlights • He joined Inter Milan as a free agent from Ajax. • He played a massive role in securing Inter Milan’s spot in the 2023 Champions League finals.

A distinctive character with a bold personality is the gloves man who had a career-defining season with Inter Milan. The Cameroon international played a crucial part in their journey to the Champions League final, keeping eight clean sheets and conceding eleven goals. His build-up play is iconic, occasionally coming out as far as the midfield, and he has a passing accuracy of 79.1%. With him between the sticks, his side triumphed in the Supercoppa Italiana and won the Coppa Italia. He re-joined his former manager at Ajax, Erik Ten Hag, at Manchester United, replacing the legendary David De Gea, who ended over a decade career in England.

Karim Benzema (Al-Ittihad, France)

Current Club: Al-Ittihad

Nationality: French

Position: Striker

Age: 35

Career Highlights • He began his career at his home town club Olympique Lyonnais • He is the all-time second-highest goal Scorer of Real Madrid. • Joined Al-Ittihad, a Saudi Pro League Club, on 6 June 2023

Benzema has been a late bloomer, stepping out of the shadows of Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale in the 2021-22 season to lead his side to a fourth league title, the Champions League title as the top scorer, earning his first Ballon d’Or. The most recent winner of the accolade captained Real Madrid through the 2022-23 season, becoming the side’s second all-time top scorer and topping the La Liga goal scorer chats with nineteen goals. He then departed to the Saudi outfit Al-Ittihad.

Ballon D’Or betting odds – 80/1

Mohamed Salah (Liverpool, Egypt)

Current Club: Liverpool

Nationality: Egyptian

Position: Striker

Age: 31

Career Highlights • He is Liverpool’s first-ever Egyptian • He holds the record for the fastest hat-trick scored in the Champions League, clocking at six minutes and twelve seconds.

pic.twitter.com/7ZeW5fY87n

— Mohamed Salah (@MoSalah) August 8, 2023

A football icon of his generation has been sparkling in the Premier League, leading his side to the first Premier League title in thirty years and the 2018-19 Champions League title. Despite his side’s struggles over last season failing to secure Champions League football, the Egyptian maestro had thirty-one goal involvements (nineteen goals, twelve assists), playing all thirty-eight league games. Quite an exceptional individual performance that has seen him linked to a big-money move to Saudi Arabia. However, he’s already cracking in the League, with better players around him showing promise of flourishing.

Ballon d’Or betting odds – 500/1

Bukayo Saka (Arsenal, England)

Current Club: Arsenal

Nationality: English

Position: Striker

Age: 22

Career Highlights • He is the first player to retain the club’s player of the Season title. • Played a significant role in securing Arsenal a position in the 2024 Champions League • Won a second consecutive England Player of the Year award

Arsenal’s star boy has been vital in their revolution under Mikel Arteta, coming close to winning the Premier League last season. He was Arsenal Player of the Season and won his second consecutive England Player of the Year after impressive performances for his country. He had twenty-five (fourteen goals and eleven assists) playing all their games last season and has eight goals and scored three World Cup goals in four World Cup games and four on four European qualifiers.

Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City, Belgium)

Current Club: Manchester City

Nationality: Belgian

Position: Midfielder

Age: 32

Career Highlights • It emerged after winning the 2010 – 11 Belgian Pro League, then later joining Chelsea in 2012. • He won his first Manchester City Treble in the 2022-23 season • Was named among the UEFA Men’s Player of the Year award nominees for the 2022-23 season

The Belgian maestro has been one of the most underrated stars over the last decade, building a reputation from his eagle’s eye for an assist; he makes everyone around him play better. Last season, he scored a brace in the all-important match 4 – 1 against Arsenal, saw them close the gap with the league leaders, and eventually beat them to the title. He scored the equalising goal against Real Madrid in the semi-final of the Champions League, making it three consecutive semi-final goals. He was nominated for the UEFA Men’s Player of the Year Award alongside Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland. De Bruyne managed sixteen assists in thirty-two games last season and has been the key to making Haaland have a successful season, feeding him delicious balls to score.

Ballon d’Or 2032 betting odds – 50/1

Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid, England)

Current Club: Real Madrid

Nationality: English

Position: Midfielder

Age: 20

Career Highlights • He joined Borussia Dortmund aged seventeen, and despite his age, he was a regular choice for the starting team.

Jude had just turned twenty years old and three years ago was playing in England’s second division. The English attacker has taken La Liga by storm in his first four games with six-goal involvement (five goals, one assist). He was one of the bright English stars at the World Cup, inspiring his nation to the quarter-finals, playing all the games.

Ballon d’Or betting – 100/1

Randal Kolo Muani (Paris St-Germain, France)

Current Club: Paris St-German

Nationality: French

Position: Striker

Age: 24

Career Highlights • He began his career at Nantes, scoring 23 goals in 87 first-team appearances. • Joined Paris St-German on the 1 September 2023

Kolo Muani came to the limelight in the World Cup final, where he had a golden chance to win for France but was saved by Emiliano Martinez. He has had an impressive season in Germany, accumulating twenty-six goal involvements (fifteen goals, eleven assists) in thirty-two appearances. The attacker’s move to PSG could unlock his true potential as one of the most lethal attackers in the football scene and great recognition to be on the list among some of the greatest names in football.

Bernardo Silva (Manchester City, Portugal)

Current Club: Manchester City

Nationality: Portuguese

Position: Midfielder

Age: 29

Career Highlights • Part of Monaco’s golden 2016-17 squad that reached the semi-final of the Champions League. • Won the treble with Manchester City

🚨 Cristiano Ronaldo, Bernardo Silva & Joao Felix will start in attack tonight. [Record] pic.twitter.com/fhFfdW2lRn

— TCR. (@TeamCRonaldo) September 8, 2023

The Portuguese architect on the pitch has been impressive for club and country as one of the most consistent performers in the football scene. He has been the unsung hero in Pep Guardiola’s team, winning the consecutive Premier League title and recently winning the treble. Silva scored a brace in their 4 – 0 semi-final win against Real Madrid en route to the final.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Napoli, Georgia)

Current Club: Napoli

Nationality: Georgian

Position: Striker

Age: 22 Career Highlights • Joined Napoli from Dinamo Batumi, signing a deal lasting till 2027 • He was named Serie A Player of the Month in August 2022 • He played a massive role in securing a Serie A cup for Napoli for the first time in 33 years

A star was born in Napoli last season, leading his side to the Serie A trophy in his debut. He was the League’s top assist provider with ten assists and scored twelve goals, taking home the Serie A MVP award and the Champions League Young Player of the Season. Every time you watch the Georgian play, it is like art, and he is a promising star with his influence in leading his side to League victory and an encouraging factor for his chances to win the trophy.

Nicolo Barella (Inter Milan, Italy)

Current Club: Inter Milan

Nationality: Italian

Position: Midfielder

Age: 26

Career Highlights • Emerged from Cagliari Calcio, making his first appearance on the 15 January 2015 • Joined Inter Milan on 12 July 2019 • He was elected best Midfielder in the 2020-21 Serie A Team of the Year.

Barella has played an integral part in the resurgence of both Inter Milan and Italy. Last season, he was an ever-present figure in his club’s journey to the finals of the Champions League for the first time in thirteen years. The Italian assisted Lautaro Martinez for the second goal in their Coppa Italia triumph. He was awarded the Best Midfielder title by Lega Serie A and received the Player of the Match award for his performance in the 3 – 3 draw against Barcelona, where he scored the opening goal.

Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa, Argentina)

Current Club: Aston Villa

Nationality: Argentine

Position: Goal Keeper

Age: 31

Career Highlights • He joined Aston Villa after a successful season at Arsenal to gain more playing minutes. • Awarded the Best FIFA Goalkeeper and the Golden Glove in the World Cup. Aston Villa’s vice-captain saw his controversial and malicious endeavours in the final shootout of the World Cup final. Some would argue that his approach was unsportsmanlike in playing psychological tricks with his opponents before they took their spot-kick, but he wouldn’t mind as his team won the prestigious title. Martinez won the Golden Glove and had iconic moments to keep his side in the game, keeping out Kolo Muani’s shot and saving Kingsley Codman’s penalty.

Ruben Dias (Manchester City, Portugal)

Current Club: Manchester City

Nationality: Portuguese

Position: Defender

Age: 26

Career Highlights • Joined The Premier League club Manchester City on 29 September 2020 • Was named Manchester City’s Player of the Month for the first time in November 2020 • Manchester City’s team that won the treble in the 2022-23 Season

Dias joined the Premier League Champions in 2020-21, winning that season title, the FWA Footballer of the Year, and their Player of the Season. He has been ever solid for club and country whenever called upon and was one of the players who performed flawlessly in the semi-final and final of the Champions League. His leadership qualities are evident in a star-studded side.

Erling Haaland (Manchester City, Norway)

Current Club: Manchester City

Nationality: Norwegian

Position: Striker

Age: 23

Career Highlights • He joined Manchester City on 10 May 2022. • After just one season, the 2022-23 top goal scorer in the English Premier League. • Helped Manchester City win the treble for the 2022-23 Season.

Mondays are so much better after a big win, aren’t they? 😀 pic.twitter.com/gbep7nV7MP

— Erling Haaland (@ErlingHaaland) September 4, 2023

One of the most extraordinary talents in the World right now has been shaking the airwaves in the Premier League. The Norwegian Viking has the physique to bully defenders with the speed and intuitive positioning of a striker. He was the missing piece of the puzzle for Pep Guardiola’s masterpiece squad and has delivered exceptionally well, leading the Citizens to a treble in his first season. Haaland had forty-four goal involvements (thirty-six goals and eight assists) in thirty-five appearances. In Europe, he scored twelve goals in eleven appearances and is one of the players with a high chance of winning this edition’s accolade.

Ballon d’Or betting – 3/1

Martin Odegaard (Arsenal, Norway)

Current Club: Arsenal

Nationality: Norwegian

Position: Midfielder

Age: 24

Career Highlights • At the end of the 2022-23 Season, was nominated Premier League Player of the Season, Premier League Young Player of the Season and FWA Footballer of the Year • He is Arsenal’s Current Captain

Odegaard is a footballing genius with great skill and understanding of the game, with the move to London unlocking his best ability. In addition to being a savage on the pitch, he is a great leader; at just twenty-four years old, he is captain for both his club and country. On the goals department, he has been impressive, managing twenty-two goal involvements (fifteen goals and seven assists), leading his side back to the UEFA Champions League.

Ikay Gundogan (Barcelona, Germany)

Current Club: Barcelona

Nationality: German

Position: Midfielder

Age: 32

Career Highlights • Captained Man City to the treble. • He moved to Barcelona on 26 June 2023 as a Free Agent.

Gundogan has been an exceptional performer for Manchester City, especially in crucial games. The maestro scored two goals in the final game against Aston Villa to win the Premier League to clinch the 2021-22 Premier League title. The German scored twice in their FA Cup victory against Manchester United, including the quickest goal in FA Cup history, volleying home within twelve seconds to win 2 – 1. A man of the match performance in the FA Cup, integral in the Premier League triumph, and became the first Manchester City captain to lift the Champions League trophy.

Ballon d’Or 2023 betting – 66/1

Yassine Bounou (Al-Hilal, Morocco)

Current Club: Al-Hilal

Nationality: Moroccan

Position: Goal Keeper

Age: 32

Career Highlights • He played a significant role in helping Morocco in their run for the 2022 World Cup. • On 17 August 2023, he joined Al-Hilal.

A cool head and great composure were the heart of Morocco’s success in the World Cup. The iconic goalkeeper saved two penalties against Spain in the round of sixteen to proceed to the quarter-finals. They beat Portugal and became the first African team to qualify for the World Cup’s final four. Bounou kept four shutouts, the best number for any shot-stopper in the tournament and the first African keeper to manage three at the World Cup.

Julian Alvarez (Manchester City, Argentina)

Current Club: Manchester City

Nationality: Argentine

Position: Striker

Age: 23

Career Highlights • He is a regular starter for Argentina at the 2022 World Cup.

The Argentine has long been in the shadow of Haaland, occasionally coming off the bench to see off games. He, however, proved his worth and talent at the World Cup, establishing himself as a starter ahead of some of the most extraordinary talent, such as Lautaro Martinez, scoring four goals in seven appearances. He now competes on the same wavelength with Haaland and has given Guardiola a tough assignment on how he can configure the two to play together.

Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid, Brazil)

Current Club: Real Madrid

Nationality: Brazilian

Position: Striker

Age: 23

Career Highlights • Real Madrid talisman with the iconic jersey number 7. • Scored the winning goal in the 2022 Champions League final

The Brazilian scored two goals in the FIFA Club World Cup final and was awarded the tournament’s best player award. Vinicius was part of the 2022-23 UEFA Champions League team of the tournament. He was a regular starter for Brazil at the World Cup and impressed well from the left despite his side’s disappointing exit. The maestro is the star of the Real Madrid giants with his performances. In the Ballon d’Or 2022 betting odds, he was priced lower, thanks to scoring a goal in the Champions League final.

Ballon d’Or betting – 50/1

Rodri (Manchester City, Spain)

Current Club: Manchester City

Nationality: Spanish

Position: Midfielder

Age: 27

Career Highlights • He has been a regular starter for Manchester City since joining from Atletico Madrid. • He won the treble with Manchester City, scoring in the final.

Rodri has been the most consistent performer in the Manchester City team, with his input occasionally overlooked. Last season was, however, his most iconic season, breaking through the ranks with his performance in the final, even scoring the winning goal to win his side the European trophy. The Spaniard’s fitness and resilience have given his side stability, and a great footballing mind can tell that he is their most important player on the pitch in creating a balance between defence and attack.

Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid, France)

Current Club: Atletico Madrid

Nationality: French

Position: Striker

Age: 32

Career Highlights • Started his career with Real Sociedad, winning the league in his first season. • Joined Barcelona in 2019 for a record 120 million Euros.

After his failed dream to Barcelona, Griezmann is starting to find balance in his second spell at Athletico Madrid. In the 2022-23 season, he managed sixteen goals and sixteen assists, which reflected his form in his first spell at the capital. He was Athletico’s top scorer and the League’s top assist provider, the only Player in La Liga who managed double figures for both goals and assists. The Frenchman was tied alongside Lionel Messi and De Bruyne for the most League assists.

Lionel Messi (Inter Miami, Argentina)

Current Club: Inter Miami

Nationality: Argentine

Position: Striker

Age: 36

Career Highlights • FIFA World Cup winner • Moved to Inter Miami from PSG

The Greatest of All Time with a record seven Ballon d’Or is a real contender to secure his eighth award after an incredible season. With all his excellence in club football, the Argentine had his eyes on the World Cup trophy and finally won the 2022 World Cup and the 2021 Copa America. He had ten goal involvements (seven goals, three assists) in Qatar, leading his side to triumph. Messi had thirty-two goal involvements (sixteen goals, sixteen assists) for PSG last season, winning the Ligue 1 title. His exploits in the World tournament and lifetime achievement make him a standout favourite to win this edition.

Ballon d’Or betting – 1/5

Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan, Argentina)

Current Club: Inter Milan

Nationality: Argentine

Position: Striker

Age: 26

Career Highlights • He won the World Cup with Argentina. • Won a second consecutive Coppa Italia and reached the finals of the World Cup.

Lautaro has been one of the best attackers in the World, with an incredible campaign last season in the Champions League and the Coppa Italia. His side reached the finals of the Champions League, where he scored against AC Milan in the all-Italian semi-final second leg. The maestro scored a brace in their 2 – 1 final victory against Fiorentina to secure a second successive Coppa Italia.

Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona, Poland)

Current Club: Barcelona

Nationality: Polish

Position: Striker

Age: 35

Career Highlights • He won the La Liga in his debut season in Spain. • Polish all-time top goal scorer.

Lewandowski managed thirty goal involvements (twenty-three goals, seven assists) in La Liga and played a crucial role in bringing Barcelona back to its glory. He has been Xavi Hernandez’s dream signing, winning the Supercopa de Espana and the La Liga in his debut season. The Polish attacker took home his first Pichichi Trophy as the first Player to be the top scorer in six consecutive seasons.

Ballon d’Or betting odds – 250/1

Kim Min-Jae (Bayern Munich, South Korea)

Current Club: Bayern Munich

Nationality: South Korean

Position: Defender

Age: 26

Career Highlights • Serie A Best Defender and Serie A team of the season. • He moved to Bayern Munich from Napoli. Kim Min-Jae was signed to replace Kalidou Koulibaly. The South Korean was a perfect fit for the team, providing adequate cover in defence for the impressive attack led by Osimhen and Kvaratskhelia. He won the Player of the Month for September with just two months of playtime in the Serie A and aided his side to a first title in over thirty years. Kim Min-Jae was recognised as the Italian League’s best defender of the season.

Luka Modric (Real Madrid, Croatia)

Current Club: Real Madrid

Nationality: Croatian

Position: Midfielder

Age: 37

Career Highlights • 2018 Ballon d’Or winner • Five-time Champions League winner. • Captained Croatia to third place in the 2022 World Cup

Modric best achievement last season was with his country. He captained Croatia to the 2018 World Cup final and settled for third place in the 2022 edition. He was runners-up in the UEFA Nations League. He is not the most prolific goal scorer, but he is excellent in dictating games and controlling the ball flow as one of the most influential football players. Modric won the 2018 Ballon d’Or.

Kylian Mbappe (Paris St-Germain, France)

Current Club: Paris St-German

Nationality: French

Position: Striker

Age: 24

Career Highlights • PSG’s all-time top goal scorer.

Mbappe scored twenty-nine goals last season to be the top scorer for a fifth consecutive season, leading his side to an eleventh Ligue 1 title. He won his fourth straight Ligue 1 Player of the Year award and featured in the Ligue 1 Team of the Season. Mbappe is the outright top goalscorer in finals, bagging four goals with a hat trick in the recently ended edition. He had an impressive performance in the final and throughout the tournament but failed to send his side to glory as he did in the 2018 season. He is a real contender for the Ballon d’Or.

Ballon d’Or 2023 betting odds – 66/1

Harry Kane (Bayern Munich, England)

Current Club: Bayern Munich

Nationality: English

Position: Striker

Age: 30

Career Highlights • All-time Spurs top scorer • England captain

A special home league debut. Lots more to come 🙌 pic.twitter.com/BLThJBk9fp

— Harry Kane (@HKane) August 27, 2023

Kane was the runners-up with thirty goals in the Premier League behind Haaland. The England captain is the first Player to score thirty goals in two seasons and overtook Sergio Aguero for the most goals scored by a Player for a single club. In an incredible campaign in the capital for Tottenham, the pressure for trophies finally saw him leave for German giants Bayern Munich.

Ballon d’Or betting 2023 – 100/1

Victor Osimhen (Napoli, Nigeria)

Current Club: Napoli

Nationality: Nigerian

Position: Striker

Age: 24

Career Highlights • Serie A top scorer. • Won the Serie A title with Napoli.

The Nigerian had an incredible breakthrough season, bursting to outpace and great aerial ability to score with his head. He and Kvaratskhelia formed a formidable partnership in front of a goal that caused havoc in the Italian League. The attacker had thirty goal involvements in the League (twenty-six goals, four assists) in thirty-two appearances and a further five in six in the Champions League. He is a force to be reckoned with, and it’s excellent business that Napoli kept their man for another season.

Ballon D’Or – Previous Winners

In the annals of football history, the Ballon d’Or holds a special place, and it all began with England’s Stanley Matthews claiming the inaugural honor. For many years, the accolade was predominantly referred to as the “continental European Footballer of the Year” in English-speaking media and across the globe. Even post-2007, this original title stuck, highlighting its European roots. However, the award’s scope expanded when it merged with FIFA’s World Player award, solidifying its global prestige.

The Ballon d’Or broke new ground in 1995 when George Weah of Liberia became the first and only African player to seize the title, following a change in eligibility criteria. Not to be outdone, Brazil’s Ronaldo shattered another glass ceiling by becoming the first South American to clinch the award in 1997.

Lionel Messi reigns supreme in the Ballon d’Or universe with an unprecedented seven titles, closely trailed by Cristiano Ronaldo, who has bagged the award five times. The trio of Johan Cruyff, Michel Platini, and Marco van Basten each have a hat-trick of wins to their names. Regarding national representation, players from the Netherlands, Germany, Argentina, Portugal, and France have each amassed seven titles, setting a high bar for other nations.

In a rare display of national and club dominance, German and Dutch players swept the top three spots in the years 1972 and 1988, respectively—a feat only achieved thrice in the award’s history. German and Italian teams have also monopolised the podium on the club front, with AC Milan players notably dominating in 1988 and 1989. This record stood unchallenged until the rise of Spanish clubs, particularly during 2009-2012 and again in 2015 and 2016. Barcelona, in 2010, became only the second club to claim all top-three positions. Both Barcelona and Real Madrid lead the pack with 12 Ballon d’Or wins each.

Despite an Englishman winning the first Ballon D’Or in 1956, only three other England-born players would scoop the top prize (Bobby Charlton 1969, Kevin Keegan 1978 & 1979 & Micheal Owen in 2001). However, if we include winners from the Home Nations (Denis Law 1964 & George Best 1968), the British total is six, ahead of France & Germany with five winners each.

When is the Ballon D’Or Awards Ceremony?

For those interested in attending, ticket prices begin at a staggering £7,999. If you want to rub elbows with the athletes, VIP seating is available for £12,999, not including VAT. No official broadcasting partner has been confirmed for those who prefer to watch from the comfort of their homes. However, the BBC Sport website has streamed the event in previous years.

The grand unveiling of the champions is set to take place in a lavish event at Paris’s Théâtre du Châtelet on October 30. The evening’s festivities will kick off at 7:00 PM GMT and are expected to last for a total of two hours, featuring appearances by iconic footballers from yesteryears.