THE Ballon d’Or awards are here – and Lionel Messi will battle it out with Erling Haaland for the most prestigious individual award in football.
The Argentine won the World Cup in Qatar and is the overwhelming favourite to take the trophy for the eighth time in his career.
Lionel Messi is in line to win his eighth Ballon d’Or this eveningGETTY
Erling Haaland is also a serious contender after scoring 52 goals in 53 games in all competitions in the 2022/23 season and the forward won the Treble with Manchester City last campaign.
The Norwegian is joined by fellow Cityzens Josko Gvardiol, Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias and Julian Alvarez.
Other Premier League nominees include Liverpool star Mohamed Salah, Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana, Arsenal duo Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard and Aston Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez.
England skipper Harry Kane is also in contention as is Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham.
Ballon d’Or 2023 full results
30th – Ruben Dias
28th – Randal Kolo Muani
28th – Martin Odegaard
27th – Nicolo Barella
26th – Jamal Musiala
Full results to follow…
Who has won the most Ballon d’Or awards?
Here is a list of all the multiple-time Ballon d’Or winners:
Lionel Messi – 7: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021Cristiano Ronaldo – 5: 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017Michel Platini – 3: 1983, 1984, 1985Johan Cruyff – 3: 1971, 1971, 1974Marco van Basten – 3: 1988, 1989, 1992Franz Beckenbauer – 2: 1972, 1976Ronaldo – 2: 1997, 2002Alfredo Di Stefano – 2: 1957, 1959Kevin Keegan – 2: 1978, 1979Karl-Heinz Rummenigge – 2: 1980, 1981 Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
