2023-10-29 15:00:00
The Ballon d’Or seeks successors to Karim Benzema and Alexia Putellaswinners of the last edition. Next Monday, October 30the ceremony that will crown the best players in the world will take place at the Chatelet Theater in Pariswith Leo Messi and Aitana Bonmatí as big favorites.
The 67th edition of the trophy organized by France Football will recognize the best player of the calendar season. What was achieved from August to July of the 2022-23 season is valued, which includes the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. From a list of 30 nominees prepared by the magazine, the winners are determined by the votes of a jury of 170 specialized journalists. The Ballon d’Or awards only the season, without taking into account the historical career of the players.
Messi, going for the eighth
Nobody has more Ballon d’Ors than Messi. And, next Monday in Paris, The Argentine star has every chance to add one more, the eighth. In fact, this could be the last Ballon d’Or gala as his favorite, taking into account that he is 36 years old and that he competes in the MLS with Inter Miami. Messi’s great performance in the World Cup in Qatar, which allowed him to lift the long-awaited trophy with the Argentine team, is what brings him closer to the distinction as best player of last season. A season where he scored 42 goals, 26 assists and won Ligue 1 with PSG, although with the Parisian team he failed to shine as before. After 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019 and 2021, Leo Messi is the great favorite to win the eighth Ballon d’Or.
Messi’s great rival in this gala is Erling Haaland. The Manchester City striker completed a record-breaking season, being the player of the year in the Premier League, winning the European Golden Boot for his 36 goals in the league, being the top scorer in the Champions League and managing to win the treble (Champions, Premier League and FA Cup). What may weigh on the Norwegian is that his team failed to qualify for the World Cup in Qatar.
Kylian Mbappé and other names such as Vinícius, Lewandowski, De Bruyne, Gundogan or Griezmann are also on the list of 30 candidates.
Aitana Bonmatí, ready to relieve Alexia
After the reign of Alexia Putellas, winner of the Ballon d’Or in 2021 and 2022, the great candidate to succeed her is fellow Barça player Aitana Bonmatí. Unless there is a major surprise, the Catalan will be the winner of the distinguished trophy. Under the tutelage of Bonmatí in the center of the field, FC Barcelona won its second Champions League and, with Spain, managed to win the team’s first World Cup, being designated as MVP. Bonmatí already won the UEFA player of the year award in August.
Up to nine players from Barcelona and Madrid are on the list of candidates, with players such as Mapi León, Salma Paralluelo, Patri Guijarro and Olga Carmona.
Related news
Everything is ready for the 67th edition of the Ballon d’Or next Monday, October 30which will crown the best footballers of last season starting at 7 p.m. at the Chatelet Theater in Paris.
Streamer Ibai Llanos has announced that he will broadcast the ceremony on Twitch.
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