Ballon d’Or 2023: World Cup winner Lionel Messi faces tight contest from Manchester City’s Erling Haaland

As the full list of nominees for the Ballon d’Or 2023 is announced, seven-time champion and World Cup winner Lionel Messi makes it once again. In his quest for his eighth title, the Argentinian will need to face Manchester City striker Erling Harald.

Last season was phenomenal for both Messi and Harald, as one won the FIFA World Cup with Argentina and the other completed a treble with United. It’s worth noting that the final results of the award will be announced in October 2023. Meanwhile, another World Cup winner, Karim Benzema, is also on the list of the best players.

In a shocking turn of events, Portugal striker and five-time Ballon d’Or champion Cristiano Ronaldo has not been nominated this year. In the last 20 years, it’s the first time that he has not been nominated for the prestigious award. Notably, earlier this year, Ronaldo left European football to compete in the Saudi Pro League as he joined Al-Nassr.

Alexia Putellas also missed out on the nomination

Barcelona’s Alexia Putellas, who won the women’s award in the last two years, didn’t get a nomination. Instead, Chelsea’s Sam Kerr and Millie Bright, along with Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmati, who helped Spain win the World Cup last month, are among the 30 female nominees.

Aitana Bonmati from Spain, Hinata Miyazawa from Japan, and the Colombian sensation Linda Caicedo are all nominated for the female Ballon d’Or. It’s worth noting that Miyazawa won the Golden Boot last month in the Women’s FIFA World Cup 2023.

Emiliano Martinez, who helped Argentina win the World Cup, is nominated for the Yashin award (best goalkeeper), along with Ederson from Manchester City and Marc Andre Ter Stegen, who won the La Liga Golden Glove, among others. Apart from them, Paris Saint-Germain‘s Kylian Mbappe also made it to the top 30 and would be keen to challenge Lionel Messi.