TOP LISTSAs we kick off another year of football, VipBetswall Predictions names the 10 current favorites for the prestigious 2023 Ballon d’Or award.
After witnessing Karim Benzema claim his first Ballon d’Or last year, football’s biggest stars enter 2023 more determined than ever to lay their hands on the iconic award.
A combination of votes from football journalists, coaches, and team captains decides the winner of France Football’s annual accolade – only this year France Football has changed some rules.
The key one is that the votes will be based on performances for the 2022/23 season and how the players performed for their respective nations at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar last winter.
So, with these new factors in mind, 
Ace Football checks out the 10 current favorites to win the 67th edition of the Ballon d’Or as of July 2023. If you want to place bets on the Ballon d’Or winner or any other interesting betting markets, then make sure you check out Fun88 and their betting offer.
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10) Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan) 🇦🇷
Like Romelu Lukaku, Lautaro Martinez wasn’t in top form in the 1-0 Champions League final defeat to Manchester City, but it still shouldn’t take away what has been arguably his finest season in the black and blue jersey.
Lautaro played a vital in Inter Milan’s Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana success. The striker reached double figures across all competitions. He managed 28 goals and 11 assists in 58 games, finished as the Serie A’s second-highest scorer, and helped Argentina win the World Cup last winter.
9) Robert Lewandowski (FC Barcelona) 🇵🇱
At the ripe old age of 34, Robert Lewandowski took on a new challenge. He swapped the all-conquering German champs Bayern Munich for the cash-strapped Barcelona last summer in a €45 million transfer.
There have been a few up and downs, but it’s fair to say Lewandowski has had a great first season. The Poland captain finished as LaLiga’s top scorer, with 23 goals. In all competitions, he put away 33 goals and eight assists. His efforts have helped Barca win their first league title since 2019 and the Spanish Super Cup.
8) Kylian Mbappe (PSG) 🇫🇷
The main reason why Kylian Mbappe is a Ballon d’Or contender is his World Cup heroics. He scored eight goals for France – including an unbelievable hat trick toward the end of the final – and was unlucky not to come away with another winners’ medal.
At Paris Saint-Germain, Mbappe was great in 2022/23, but not quite up to the previous season’s sky-high standard. He has once again smashed home countless goals in Ligue 1, but PSG’s last-16 Champions League and Coupe de France exits put a slight dent in his campaign.
7) Victor Osimhen (Napoli) 🇳🇬
What a season for Victor Osimhen! His incredible performance has earned him a spot on the Ballon d’Or list. Some may consider him an underdog for the top prize, but let’s not forget the amazing feat he achieved in Naples.
Osimhen played a crucial role in securing Napoli’s first Serie A title since the legendary Diego Maradona era in 1990. He finished as the Italian league’s top-scorer with an impressive 26 goals – a truly historic campaign that will be remembered for years to come.
6) Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid) 🇧🇷
In 2022/23, Vinicius Junior stepped up onto the mantle of Real Madrid’s main man. The winger may not have been as prolific as Karim Benzema, but his movement, energy, and on-ball skills make him a joy to watch. He should be even better next season as the club’s newest No.7.
In just 55 games, Vinicius notched an impressive 23 goals and 21 assists across all competitions. You’ll want to applaud this 23-year-old, who’s helped Real Madrid come out on top in the Copa del Rey, FIFA Club World Cup, and UEFA Super Cup!
5) Rodri (Manchester City) 🇪🇸
Rodri is arguably the world’s best-holding midfielder. His performances for Manchester City last season back it up. With a staggering 52 games under his belt, the Spaniard was a rock in the midfield. He consistently delivered top-notch performances for Pep Guardiola’s treble-winning squad.
Let’s not forget about his game-winning goal in the Champions League final. Nor his role in Spain winning the UEFA Nations League in June. Safe to say, Rodri is one of the best players in the world right now.
4) Ilkay Gundogan (FC Barcelona) 🇩🇪
If the Ballon d’Or was decided on big-game performance alone, Ilkay Gundogan would probably be a top-two candidate. The midfielder doesn’t have the most prolific record. But when it comes to clutch plays, you could argue he is the elite.
Let’s not forget, Gundogan scored critical braces against Leeds and Everton to send Manchester City on their way to another Premier League title. He then smashed home both goals to seal City’s 2-1 winover Manchester United in the FA Cup, before captaining the club to a first-ever Champions League trophy to complete a treble. He signed for FC Barcelona afterward.
3) Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) 🇧🇪
With a new partner in crime in Erling Haaland last season, Kevin De Bruyne dished out the assists like nobody’s business for Manchester City. His selfless play and deadly playmaking abilities proved critical in the club’s treble success.
The Belgium international reached double figures again with 10 goals and an incredible 31 assists in all competitions. His performances earned him a fifth Premier League title with City, a second FA Cup, and the first Champions League trophy of his career.
2) Erling Haaland (Manchester City) 🇳🇴
You have to feel a little for Erling Haaland here – what more could he have done? Norway’s no-show in the World Cup immediately counts against him. However, given his unbelievable role in Manchester City’s treble success, the 22-year-old is a serious Ballon d’Or candidate.
Had Haaland delivered big-game performances in the FA Cup and Champions League finals, he would be No.1 in the rankings. We would’ve had no choice. But the 52-goal striker went cold instead – not that he would care anyway!
1) Lionel Messi (Inter Miami CF) 🇦🇷
Lionel Messi’s biggest claim for an eighth Ballon d’Or lies in his World Cup performances. In Qatar, he played a starring role as Argentina ended an agonizing 36-year wait for World Cup glory. It handed him the one trophy that had eluded him throughout his entire career.
At club level, Messi enjoyed a much stronger year in his second and final season at PSG. The forward put away 21 goals and 20 assists in 41 games, including a league-best 16 assists in Ligue 1. He won a second French league title. With a move to MLS club Inter Miami now complete, Messi enters the summer ready for a new chapter in his career.
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