The 2023 Ballon d’Or ceremony will be eagerly awaited for several reasons.
No date has been set for football’s biggest individual prize to be handed out as yet, but it will be the first year to take into account the change in the award criteria away from a full calendar year.
Previously, a player’s achievements from January to December in a given year were what the Ballon d’Or was based on, which rather confusingly made it two half seasons. Now, however, a typical full club season from one summer to the next is the timeframe things will be judged on.
Right in the middle of that for the 2023 award was the 2022 World Cup, with the finals in Qatar taking place after the 2022 Ballon d’Or ceremony. World Cup tournaments always heavily influence the make-up of the shortlist and this time will be no different.
There is still half a season of football to play, during which all the various club trophies will be decided. But off the back of the first half of the 2022/23 season and the World Cup, here’s a look at 15 of the early favourites for the next Ballon d’Or.
Sofyan Amrabat (Fiorentina & Morocco): His performances as the beating heart of the Morocco team that made African football history at the World Cup is sure to get him a nomination. His club career could even take a surge upwards if a January transfer comes about.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Napoli & Georgia): If Napoli continue as they have started and win a first Serie A title since the days of Diego Maradona, there is every chance their newest star will be in the Ballon d’Or conversation. The 21-year-old had 18 goal involvements in 17 appearance before the break.
Enzo Fernandez (Benfica & Argentina): The World Cup’s best young player is set to earn a big money move at some point in 2023. He was already on the radar of European giants but his breakout display in Qatar have now made him a headline name.
Achraf Hakimi (PSG & Morocco): The flying full-back is indispensable for both club and country. He was a key member of Morocco’s World Cup heroes and is still hoping to win it all with Paris Saint-Germain come June. No defender has won the Ballon d’Or since 1996.
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool & Egypt): Absent from the World Cup but still put up excellent numbers for Liverpool prior to the mid-season break. His 15 goals in all competitions included seven in just six Champions League group games, although chances likely…
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