The 2023 Ballon d’Or will be handed out in Paris tonight with Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe fighting it out to land football’s most prestigious individual prize.
Vincent Garcia, the editor in chief at award organisers France Football, said over the weekend: “It’s tight this year, it’s very, very tight.”
Let’s take a look at the contenders…
Lionel Messi
The seven-time winner has had another memorable 12 months, finally landing the title he craved most – the World Cup.
The Argentina captain was the driving force behind his nation’s triumph in Qatar, single-handedly driving his nation through the knockout stage before scoring twice in the final against France.
His influence at Paris Saint-Germain waned towards the end of his spell in France but he still ended the 2022/23 campaign with a second Ligue 1 winners’ medal.
His move to Inter Miami has had a transformational effect on MLS, and his early displays helped the Florida club land the Leagues Cup – the first trophy in the franchise’s history.
Erling Haaland
The Norwegian was at his brilliant best in Manchester City’s 3-0 win at Manchester United yesterday with two goals and an assist but it’s his achievements from last season that mark him out as a serious contender.
Haaland scored 52 goals in 53 games in all competitions as City landed their first Champions League crown as well as domestic silverware in the Premier League and FA Cup.
Named the PFA Player of the Year, the 23-year-old remains the best number nine in England and, arguably, world football.
Kylian Mbappe
Mbappe played a more significant role in PSG’s title win than Messi – also landing the Ligue 1 Player of the Year award – but it was his exploits in Qatar that propel him into this illustrious company.
The 24-year-old landed the Golden Boot as the tournament’s top scorer with eight goals, including a hat-trick in the pulsating 3-3 draw with Argentina in the final. It was the first final hat-trick since Geoff Hurst’s for England in 1966.
Ballon d’Or Feminin
Unlike the men’s event, there is one outstanding candidate to land the women’s award – Spanish superstar Aitana Bonmati.
Bonmati was named player of the tournament as Spain won the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand and also played a leading role in club side Barcelona winning a Liga F and Champions League double.
Small reminder: all our nominees for tonight ceremony! 🌕✨#BALLONDOR PIC.TWITTER.COM/TR58AWBUCU
— Ballon d’Or #ballondor (@ballondor) OCTOBER 30, 2023
When and Where?
The award will be handed out tonight at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris. The ranking reveal starts on social media at 4.15pm UK time with the ceremony itself getting underway at 7.45pm.
How to watch
The event is being streamed on L’Equipe’s YouTube channel. You can also watch it in the UK on TNT Sports and Discovery+.
