Messi and Haaland headline 2023 Ballon d'Or nominees, Ronaldo omitted

Cristiano Ronaldo missed out on a Ballon d’Or nomination for the first time since 2003, falling out of France Football’s 30-man shortlist for the most prestigious individual honor in world football Wednesday.

Erling Haaland and Lionel Messi are the top contenders for the award after achieving career milestones over the last 12 months. Haaland won a continental treble in his first season with Manchester City, scoring 52 goals while breaking the Premier League’s single-season scoring record. Messi powered Argentina to a shootout victory over France in the World Cup final and captured the only major trophy that had eluded him in his career. With six goals and a tournament-high three assists, the 36-year-old also won the Golden Ball as the World Cup’s best player.

Messi is vying for a record-extending eighth Ballon d’Or. The winner will be announced during a ceremony on Oct. 30 at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris.

Kylian Mbappe singlehandedly dragged France back into the aforementioned World Cup final with a historic hat-trick and earned a leading nomination despite failing to win the Champions League with Paris Saint-Germain. Napoli’s top scorer, Victor Osimhen, and breakout star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia also feature on the list. Napoli won their first Serie A title in 33 years thanks in large part to Osimhen and Kvaratskhelia, who combined to score 38 goals.

2023 Men’s Ballon d’Or nominees

2023 Women’s Ballon d’Or nominees

First awarded in 2018, the Ballon d’Or Feminin will go to a first-time recipient this year. None of the previous winners have been short-listed, with inaugural recipient Ada Hegerberg and two-time winner Alexia Putellas missing time through injury and U.S. star Megan Rapinoe nearing retirement.

Four players from Spain’s Women’s World Cup-winning squad – including Aitana Bonmati, the tournament’s best player, and Olga Carmona, whose goal won the final – lead the 30-strong list. Spanish players Patricia Guijarro and Mapi Leon are also vying for the award after helping Barcelona win the Women’s Champions League.

Kopa Trophy nominees

Previous winners Gavi and Pedri are up again for the Kopa Trophy.

Awarded to the game’s best player under 21, the prize could fall into Gavi or Pedri’s hands for a second time. The two midfielders helped Barcelona win La Liga for the first time in the post-Messi era. Jude Bellingham, who’s scored five goals for Real Madrid since joining them in a €100-million deal, will likely rival the Spanish duo.

Yachine Trophy nominees

Named after iconic goalkeeper Lev Yashin, the Yachine Trophy goes to the game’s top netminder. Thibaut Courtois – who won the award in 2022 on the heels of his heroic Champions League performances – earns another nomination. Emiliano Martinez is a leading contender, having made a number of key saves during Argentina’s World Cup-winning campaign.