Ballon d'Or: Messi and Haaland the favourites - Ronaldo not nominated

The French football magazine France Football has announced the 30 nominees for the 2023 Ballon d’Or, and with Lionel Messi, Major League Soccer has a real opportunity to have an active player playing in the league win the trophy for the first time in history. Not nominated for the first time in 20 years is five-time winner Cristiano Ronaldo. The magazine also announced the ten finalists for the Trophée Kopa, awarded to the best young player, and the Trophée Yachine, awarded to the best goalkeeper.

Among the finalists, 11 out of the 30 players currently play in the Premier League, with seven of those players under contract at Manchester City. Man City also have one of the favorites in the squad: Erling Haaland. The Norwegian star was a big part of his club’s treble-winning season and is considered Messi’s biggest challenger for the Ballon d’Or trophy. The winners will be announced on Oct. 30 in Paris. The titleholder is Karim Benzema. The striker from Al-Ittihad is one of two players from the Saudi Pro League on the list. The other player is goalkeeper Bono from Al-Hilal. 

Not on the list for the first time since 2003 is Cristiano Ronaldo. Ronaldo won the award in 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2017 and finished 20^th last season. Messi, who holds the record with seven awards, is one of four Argentines with a chance to win the trophy. 

The nominees for the Trophée Kopa

Jude Bellingham (ENG/Real Madrid), Jamal Musiala (GER/Bayern), Pedri (ESP/FC Barcelona), Gavi (ESP/Barcelona), Eduardo Camavinga (FRA/Real Madrid), Xavi Simons (NED/RB Leipzig), Alejandro Balde (ESP/ Barcelona), António Silva (POR/Benfica), Rasmus Højlund (DEN/Man United), Elye Wahi (FRA/RC Lens).

The nominees for the Trophée Yachine

Thibaut Courtois (BEL/Real Madrid), Ederson (BRA/Man City), Emiliano Martinez (ARG/Aston Villa), Aaron Ramsdale (ENG/Arsenal), Dominik Livakovic (CRO/Fenerbahce), Marc-André ter Stegen (GER/FC Barcelona), Mike Maignan (FRA/AC Milan), Bono (MAR/Al-Hilal SFC), André Onana (CAM/Man United), Brice Samba (FRA/RC Lens).