Messi, Mbappé, Haaland Nominated for 2023 Ballon d’Or
The Ballon d’Or recently announced its nominees for the best male and female players of the last season. Some of the standout names on the list include Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland, and Kylian Mbappé, among others. Meanwhile, in the women’s category, the prominent nominees include Aitana Bonmati, Sam Kerr, and Sophia Smith.
Although the list of nominees in the men’s category includes some of the top players in the world, many believe that the competition for the men’s award will primarily come down to Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland.
At 36 years old, Messi had a remarkable season. He played a crucial role in leading Argentina to a World Cup victory in Qatar, contributing seven goals and three assists in seven starts. Additionally, he had an outstanding performance in Ligue 1 for Paris Saint-Germain, scoring 16 goals and providing 16 assists as the team secured the league title. In the Champions League, he also made a significant impact with four goals and four assists.
While it may not have been his most outstanding season at the club level when compared to his previous achievements, Messi’s exceptional performance in Qatar was pivotal in securing his country’s third World Cup title, the first since the Diego Maradona era. As a result of his accomplishments, he is widely considered the favorite to win his record-breaking eighth Ballon d’Or award. In contrast, Haaland made a significant impact at the club level during his debut season with Manchester City.
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The 23-year-old achieved a remarkable feat by setting a Premier League record with 36 goals in league matches during the 2022-23 season, in addition to providing eight assists. He also contributed 12 goals and one assist in the Champions League, scored three goals in the FA Cup, and netted one goal in the Carabao Cup.
Haaland played a pivotal role in Manchester City’s historic season, helping the team secure the triple by winning the Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup. This achievement ranks among the most successful seasons in the history of club football.
While a player of Mbappé’s caliber, with his impressive record of 36 goals in both Ligue 1 and Champions League competitions, could certainly make a compelling case, many consider him a distant third in the Ballon d’Or race, with Messi and Haaland being the frontrunners.
In the women’s category, Aitana Bonmati stands as the strong favorite for the Ballon d’Or after an exceptional season. She played a pivotal role in leading Barcelona to the treble and also helped Germany secure a World Cup title this summer. Bonmati was honored as the Golden Ball winner at the tournament. Her club performance included 16 goals and 10 assists for Barcelona last season, along with three goals and two assists in the World Cup.
Another contender on the women’s side is Germany’s Alexandra Propp, although her country’s early exit from the World Cup, failing to advance beyond the group stage, may hinder her chances in the race for the Ballon d’Or.
Certainly, Messi and Haaland are expected to steal the spotlight, as both have put forth remarkable performances and compelling arguments to vie for this year’s Ballon d’Or award. It promises to be an exciting competition between these two outstanding players.
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