Fans have voted for who they think should win the 2023 Ballon d’Or – here is the top 10

Fans across the globe have eagerly cast their votes, expressing their opinions on who should be crowned the winner of the highly anticipated 2023 Ballon d’Or. After a sensational 2022/23 season filled with remarkable performances, European football’s finest players have left no stone unturned in their quest to stake their claim for the prestigious accolade. As the anticipation builds, let’s delve into the latest updates and the top contenders for the illustrious award.

The Road to Glory:
France Football, the organization behind the Ballon d’Or, has revealed that the 30 nominees for the men’s prize will be announced on September 6. The footballing world will eagerly await the grand ceremony at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris on October 30, where the deserving winner will be crowned amidst a star-studded gathering.

The Race for Recognition:
Among the vast array of talented players, only a select few have truly shone consistently over the past 12 months, making them strong contenders for the coveted Ballon d’Or. However, one notable player who is unlikely to be in serious contention for the award is last year’s winner, Karim Benzema. Despite his heroics in the 2021/22 season, the 35-year-old striker endured an injury-plagued final season at Real Madrid and missed out on representing France in the World Cup due to fitness concerns.

Career-Defining Moments:
While Benzema might be out of the running, numerous other footballing superstars have etched their names in the annals of history with career-defining moments this season. One team that has dominated the scene is Manchester City, guided by the brilliant Pep Guardiola, as they triumphed and clinched an unprecedented treble of trophies in the 2022/23 campaign.

Fan Votes: Revealing the Top 10:
Excitement soared when the PopFoot Twitter account invited followers to submit their top 10 nominations for the 2023 Ballon d’Or. Unsurprisingly, a considerable number of players from Manchester City featured prominently in the rankings, given their outstanding performances throughout the season. The voting system adopted a sliding scale, with the first-ranked player on each ballot receiving 20 points, followed by a two-point decrease for each subsequent position.

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A Fierce Battle at the Summit:

As the final rankings were unveiled, a captivating and closely contested battle emerged at the top, with a mere 94 points separating the two leading contenders. Some notable names, including Karim Benzema, Harry Kane, and Robert Lewandowski, missed out on securing a spot in the top 10. However, the list proudly featured five remarkable players from Manchester City, highlighting their collective brilliance.

The Leading Contenders:
Kylian Mbappe, who claimed the Golden Boot at the 2022 World Cup, secured an impressive third place in PopFoot’s poll, amassing a total of 4,170 points. Nevertheless, the Paris Saint-Germain star fell 834 points short of the top two positions.

Erling Haaland’s extraordinary record of 52 goals in 53 games for Manchester City placed him as a strong candidate for the Ballon d’Or, particularly considering his team’s remarkable success. However, Lionel Messi’s campaign was equally outstanding. Alongside securing a second-successive Ligue 1 title with Paris Saint-Germain, the Argentine legend cemented his legacy by lifting the World Cup in Qatar last December.

A Photo Finish:
Ultimately, the PopFoot voters bestowed Haaland with a narrow victory over Messi, with a slim margin of just 94 points separating the two phenomenal players. This sets the stage for an enthralling two-horse race in the battle for the 2023 Ballon d’Or, promising a gripping spectacle that football enthusiasts won’t want to miss.

Conclusion:
The anticipation surrounding the 2023 Ballon d’Or reaches a crescendo as fans eagerly await the announcement of the 30 nominees. The upcoming ceremony, set against the backdrop of the iconic Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, will unveil the deserving winner who will join the illustrious ranks of footballing legends. With Erling Haaland and Lionel Messi locked in a neck-and-neck contest for the prestigious accolade, football fans are in for a thrilling climax to one of the closest-fought battles in recent memory.