Top Ballon d'Or contenders as Messi eyes eighth victory

There are 30 players nominated for the 2023 Ballon d'Or but only one can win football's most prestigious individual accolade.

Lionel Messi is eyeing an eighth victory after lifting the 2022 World Cup with Argentina while Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe will be hoping to win the award for the first time.

LiveScore takes a look at the main contenders for the honour ahead of Monday's crowning ceremony.

Lionel Messi (Inter Miami)

One of football's greatest-ever players triumphed on the international stage last December, adding the World Cup to his lengthy list of trophies.

Messi joined Major League Soccer outfit Inter Miami in the summer but his abilities remain unmatched and at 36 he is on course to earn the highest recognition for his sensational displays on the pitch.

Erling Haaland (Manchester City)

Manchester City goal machine Haaland has done everything right since signing for the Premier League champions, spearheading the club's charge to a historic Treble last season.

Whatever Haaland touches turns to gold and with 61 goal contributions in 53 appearances across all competitions in 2022-23, it is easy to see why he is regarded as a serious contender to win the Ballon d'Or.

Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain)

Mbappe is poised to dominate this award in years to come but appears unlikely to challenge Messi for the coveted accolade this time around.

Questions have been asked as to whether the Paris Saint-Germain talisman can be the difference maker in high-stakes games but as a World Cup winner and five-time Ligue 1 champion, the 24-year-old has already proven he is a worthy contender.

Rodri (Manchester City)

Rodri scored the winner in last season's Champions League final and appears to be the glue that holds City's imperious squad together under Pep Guardiola.

The Citizens struggled without the Spanish midfielder during his recent suspension and it is no surprise they returned to winning ways against Brighton when he was back available after the international break.

Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid)

Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior seems to have been around for an age but the Brazilian is still only 23 and has already scored over 60 goals for Los Blancos.

The 24-cap international could not steer the Spanish outfit to success in LaLiga or the Champions League last season but he did tally 44 goal contributions — his best return since joining from Flamengo in 2018.

Karim Benzema (Al-Ittihad)

Karim Benzema, 35, spent 14 years at Real Madrid and won the Ballon d'Or 12 months ago, beating Sadio Mane and Kevin De Bruyne to the prize.

The five-time Champions League winner is now strutting his stuff in the Saudi Pro League but he still scored over 31 goals for Los Blancos last term before saying an emotional farewell.

Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)

Injury has hampered De Bruyne in the current campaign but he remains on the list as one of City's most influential players over the last year.

The midfield magician finished third in the 2022 rankings but is unlikely to appear that high in 2023, despite having the same number of accolades to his name as Haaland in the last 12 months.