Ballon d'Or 2022, the most prestigious award in the football world, took place in Paris, France at Théâtre du Châtelet on October 17.
Karim Benzema was crowned the Ballon d'Or winner for the first time in his career. The Real Madrid star came to prove that anyone can reach this glory due to hard work and patience.
A number of football talents will now compete to get the desirable award next time, and it’s always delightful to watch their growth process throughout the year.
Who will win the Ballon d’Or award in 2023?
The race is on! So the players who will stand out with their impressive form during the 2022/23 campaign, could be among the nominees.
#1 Erling Haaland
Club: Manchester City
Country: Norway
Club stats in 2022/23:
Games: 15
Goals: 22
Assists: 3
Image Source: Getty Images
Manchester City have signed a true goalscoring machine this summer!
Erling Haaland sparkles for Pep Guardiola’s side this season. It’s just October of the 2022/23 season but we are already witnessing how the Norway international stuns the world with his stats.
Haaland will definitely be a strong contender for the next Ballon d’Or trophy in case of continuing his impressive spell with the Citizens.
#2 Neymar
Club: PSG
Country: Brazil
Club stats in 2022/23:
Games: 16
Goals: 12
Assists: 9
Image Source: Getty Images
Neymar is back to his best form this season with the French giants PSG.
The attacker, who is well known for his brilliant dribbling skills, is now at the center of the attention with a huge contribution to the team.
Brazil national team are one of the favorites to win the World Cup this year. This achievement could boost Neymar’s chances of winning the Ballon d’Or trophy.
#3 Lionel Messi
Club: PSG
Country: Argentina
Club stats in 2022/23:
Games: 15
Goals: 9
Assists: 10
Image Source: Getty Images
Lionel Messi was not among the nominees for Ballon d’Or 2022. Only to adapt to his new team, PSG, and return even stronger.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner is here in the race again, and the main proof of his determination is his form at the club.
The Argentina international has a strong side to compete for the name of the best team in the world in Qatar.
#4 Robert Lewandowski
Club: Barcelona
Country: Poland
Club stats in 2022/23:
Games: 15
Goals: 17
Assists: 4
Image Source: Getty Images
It's quite impossible to pronounce the name of Lewandowski without sharing high praise for him. This forward is a real monster when it comes to attacking and scoring goals.
After his eight-year spell at Bayern, the Poland international joined Barcelona in the summer of 2022.
Lewandowski hasn’t reached much success with his La Liga team in the Champions League this season. But his contribution to Barca’s games are massive.
#5 Kylian Mbappe
Club: PSG
Country: France
Club stats in 2022/23:
Games: 15
Goals: 14
Assists: 2
Image Source: Getty Images
So young but already a world star! Mbappe has managed to win the FIFA World Cup with the France national team in Russia back in 2018 and will try to repeat this success in Qatar so soon.
After being heavily linked with the move to Real Madrid, Mbappe ended up staying at PSG. He currently continues his playing spell at the French side after signing a new deal valid until 2025.
The last campaign was not successful for Mbappe in terms of Champions League football. However, he is the kind of person that won’t give up on his way.
#6 Kevin De Bruyne
Club: Manchester City
Country: Belgium
Club stats in 2022/23:
Games: 15
Goals: 2
Assists: 11
Image Source: Getty Images
Kevin De Bruyne gets another year to enjoy his time at Manchester City.
The Belgium international is a vital player in Pep Guardiola's side as he helps the team to fight for their successive Premier League trophy.
City are also doing well in the Champions League so far this season. The club are yet to win Europe's biggest title. Will this be their season?
#7 Sadio Mane
Club: Bayern Munich
Country: Senegal
Club stats in 2022/23:
Games: 18
Goals: 9
Assists: 1
Image Source: Getty Images
Liverpool definitely miss their star Sadio Mane, who continues to show his best - this time with Bundesliga side Bayern Munich.
The Senegal international is still adapting to Bundesliga but he has already recorded important goals for his side.
Bayern are currently enjoying their season in the Champions League and are strong contenders for lifting the European title.
#8 Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
Club: Napoli
Country: Georgia
Club stats in 2022/23:
Games: 15
Goals: 7
Assists: 8
Image Source: Getty Images
It’s an unbelievable season for Napoli and their Georgian star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
The Serie A side are impressing the world leading the Italian league with 26 points. Their form in the Champions League has stolen the headlines as well.
It would be fair to say that Napoli are creating a new historical page with the help of Kvaratskhelia.
#9 Phil Foden
Club: Manchester City
Country: England
Club stats in 2022/23:
Games: 15
Goals: 7
Assists: 3
Image Source: Getty Images
Manchester City have a pure talent on their hands in Phil Foden.
This guy continues to impress the world with the maturity of his performances in Pep Guardiola's team. He has already shown some brilliant displays both in domestic competition and in the Champions League.
Foden will surely be part of the incredible story that City are creating on their way.
#10 Jude Bellingham
Club: Borussia Dortmund
Country: England
Club stats in 2022/23:
Games: 17
Goals: 8
Assists: 2
Image Source: Getty Images
It’s not the best season for Borussia Dortmund but we won’t say the same thing about Jude Bellingham.
At the start of the 2022/23 campaign, the 19-year-old star became Dortmund’s youngest captain of all time.
Due to his impressive performances, the England international has now been linked with a number of top European sides.