Ballon d’Or 2023 Power Rankings – Who will win the Ballon d’Or award in 2023?
The race has begun! So the players who will stand out with their outstanding performances during the 2022/23 season could be among the nominees.
1. Lionel Messi
Club: PSG
Country: Argentina
Club stats in 2022/23:
Games: 31
Goals: 18
Assists: 17
World Cup stats:
Caps: 7
Goals: 7
Assists: 3
Trophies: FIFA World Cup
Lionel Messi was not named to the Ballon d’Or 2022 shortlist. All he has to do now is adjust to his new team, PSG, and return even stronger.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner is back in the race, and his form at club and with the national team is the main proof of his determination.
Argentina had a strong team in Qatar to compete for the title of best team in the world, so they confidently lifted the World Cup trophy.
Messi was named the FIFA Men’s Best Player of 2022 as a result of their success.
2. Erling Haaland
Club: Manchester City
Country: Norway
Club stats in 2022/23:
Games: 34
Goals: 33
Assists: 5
This summer, Manchester City signed a true goal-scoring machine! Erling Haaland has been a standout for Pep Guardiola’s team this season.
We’re seeing how the Norway international stuns the world with his stats, as he leads the Premier League goalscorers’ list. If he continues to impress with the Citizens, Haaland will undoubtedly be a strong contender for the next Ballon d’Or.
The latter are still in contention for the Champions League title this season.
Haaland was named to the Best XI in The Best FIFA Football Awards for his strong performances in 2022.
3. Marcus Rashford
Club: Manchester United
Country: England
Club stats in 2022/23:
Games: 41
Goals: 26
Assists: 9
World Cup stats:
Caps: 11
Goals: 3
Marcus Rashford has been in excellent form since returning from international duty with the England national team in preparation for the World Cup in 2022.
The attacker is thriving under Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag and is widely regarded as one of the best players in the world at the moment.
Manchester United is the only team that currently competes in three competitions, having already won the Carabao Cup by defeating Newcastle United in the final.
If they win more trophies during the 2022/23 season, Rashford will undoubtedly be a strong candidate for the Ballon d’Or.
4. Kylian Mbappe
Club: PSG
Country: France
Club stats in 2022/23:
Games: 32
Goals: 31
Assists: 8
World Cup stats:
Caps: 7
Goals: 8
Assists: 2
So young, but already a global superstar! Mbappe won the FIFA World Cup with the France national team in Russia in 2018 and will look to replicate that success in Qatar.
Mbappe stayed at PSG despite being heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid. He is currently playing for the French club after signing a new contract that will keep him there until 2025.
In terms of Champions League football, Mbappe had a disappointing season, as his French club was eliminated in the Round of 16 by Bayern Munich.
Mbappe was named to the Best XI in The Best FIFA Football Awards after helping France reach the World Cup final.
5. Robert Lewandowski
Club: Barcelona
Country: Poland
Club stats in 2022/23:
Games: 32
Goals: 25
Assists: 6
World Cup stats:
Caps: 4
Goals: 2
Assists: 1
It is an arduous task to articulate the appellation Lewandowski without expressing deep admiration for this remarkable forward. His prowess in attacking and scoring goals is nothing short of monstrous. After an extended spell at Bayern Munich spanning eight years, the Poland international made a switch to Barcelona during the summer of 2022.
Despite struggling to make an impact in the Champions League this season with his La Liga team, Lewandowski’s contributions have been vital in their pursuit of the La Liga title.
6. Kevin De Bruyne
Club: Manchester City
Country: Belgium
Club stats in 2022/23:
Games: 33
Goals: 5
Assists: 18
World Cup stats:
Caps: 3
Kevin De Bruyne will remain at Manchester City for another year.
The Belgium international is an important member of Pep Guardiola’s squad, as he helps the team compete for a second Premier League title.
Another year passed, and this man was named to the world’s Best XI. This season, City has also performed well in the Champions League. The club has yet to win Europe’s most prestigious trophy. Is this their season?
7. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
Club: Napoli
Country: Georgia
Club stats in 2022/23:
Games: 27
Goals: 12
Assists: 15
Napoli and their Georgian star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia have had an incredible season. The Serie A team is wowing the world, currently leading the Italian league with 26 points. Their performance in the Champions League has also made headlines. With the help of Kvaratskhelia, Napoli are writing a new chapter in their history.
8. Casemiro
Club: Manchester United
Country: Brazil
Club stats in 2022/23:
Games: 38
Goals: 5
Assists: 6
World Cup stats:
Caps: 3
Goals: 2
Assists: 1
Casemiro has been an important member of Erik ten Hag’s squad since joining Manchester United. The trophy-winning midfielder decided to embark on a new chapter in his career.
He has a winning attitude, which helps to keep the team spirit high in the locker room.
Brazil’s national team was one of the favourites to win the World Cup in 2022, but they were eliminated in the first round.
Casemiro’s chances of winning the Ballon d’Or this season could be boosted by Manchester United’s success in domestic competition and the Europa League. The Red Devils have already won the Carabao Cup after defeating Newcastle United, and they are still in contention for three more trophies.
9. Karim Benzema
Club: Real Madrid
Country: France
Club stats in 2022/23:
Games: 27
Goals: 18
Assists: 5
Due to injuries, the defending Ballon d’Or champion struggled to maintain consistency in his play before being ruled out of the World Cup on the eve of the competition.
But in 2023, he appears to have rediscovered his goal-scoring form, and with Los Blancos appearing to be in a position where they can once again advance far in the Champions League, the France striker has a chance to continue to be a contender for a second Golden Ball.
10. Jude Bellingham
Club: Borussia Dortmund
Country: England
Club stats in 2022/23:
Games: 32
Goals: 10
Assists: 6
World Cup stats:
Caps: 5
Goals: 1
Assists: 1
It hasn’t been the best season for Borussia Dortmund, but we can’t say the same for Jude Bellingham.
The 19-year-old star became Dortmund’s youngest captain of all time at the start of the 2022/23 season.
Dortmund were eliminated from the Champions League in the Round of 16 by Chelsea, reducing Bellingham’s chances of winning the Ballon d’Or this season.
Because of his outstanding performances, the England international has been linked with a number of top European clubs, and he could be among the top ten nominees.