On Monday, October 30th, at 8 p.m., the football world will hold its breath as the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris hosts the long-awaited ceremony of the 2023 Ballon d’Or. Excitement is at its peak as this evening approaches to honor the best football player of the year.
Speculations are rife as to who will clinch the prestigious trophy, and this year promises to be one of the most thrilling in Ballon d’Or history.
Favorites in the Race for the 2023 Ballon d’Or
Suspense is high to know Karim Benzema’s successor, but it’s undeniable that World Cup champion Lionel Messi leads the pack. He faces fierce competition, notably from Erling Haaland, who clinched the Champions League with Manchester City, and Kylian Mbappé, exceptional for the French national team throughout the year.
The Ballon d’Or Selection Process
The Ballon d’Or is awarded by a jury of specialized journalists, with one representative from each country among the top 100 in the FIFA ranking. Each journalist’s task is to select the top five players from the 30 finalists, ranking them from first to fifth place, using a points system.
The selection process takes into account not only the individual performances of players but also the collective results of their teams and their sportsmanship on the field.
The Impact of the 2022 World Cup
The 2022 World Cup held in Qatar will play a significant role in the jury’s decision. Players’ performances in this globally renowned tournament will be closely scrutinized. However, the importance of prestigious European competitions such as the Champions League and the Premier League in the Ballon d’Or allocation should not be underestimated.
Théâtre du Châtelet, the Epicenter of the Event
The iconic Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris will once again host this prestigious ceremony, followed by football fans worldwide. Even before the kick-off, the red carpet will be the center of attention, where many football stars will make their appearance, as is tradition.
The Nominees for the 2023 Ballon d’Or
Among the 30 finalists for the 2023 Ballon d’Or are an impressive list of talented players. Four Argentinians and four French players stand out among the favorites. Notably, seven European champions from Manchester City are in the running, highlighting the English team’s dominance in the last season. The finalists include names such as Erling Haaland, Karim Benzema, Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, Mohamed Salah, Kevin De Bruyne, and many more.
The October 30th evening will be a memorable night for world football. Speculations and predictions are rife, but the suspense remains. The 2023 Ballon d’Or will be awarded to the player who has left an exceptional mark on the football year. Stay tuned to L’Équipe for a live coverage of this ceremony to determine the king of football for this year.
