It’s not enough for Ronaldo anymore
Four DFB stars nominated for the Ballon d’Or
09/07/2023, 09:55 am
Four Germans can hope for the Ballon d’Or. Two men and two women make it onto the list, but the favorites are different. Meanwhile, one of the most prominent names in world football is missing for the first time in a long time. There are also a number of (former) Bundesliga stars in the field of applicants.
FC Barcelona’s İlkay Gündoğan and Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala have been nominated for the prestigious Ballon d’Or. The two German internationals are on the shortlist of 30 footballers. There are also Musiala’s teammates Harry Kane and the South Korean Min-Jae Kim from the Bundesliga. The two women from Wolfsburg, Alexandra Popp and Lena Oberdorf, made it onto the list for women.
In Jude Bellingham (from Borussia Dortmund to Real Madrid), Josko Gvardiol (from RB Leipzig to Manchester City) and Randal Kolo Muani (from Eintracht Frankfurt to Paris St. Germain), there are also three professionals who until recently were still in the Bundesliga have earned their money.
In addition to last year’s winner Karim Benzema, who is now under contract in Saudi Arabia, the reigning world footballer Lionel Messi, striker Erling Haaland from Champions League winner Manchester City and world star Kylian Mbappé from Paris St. Germain are among the illustrious circle.
Will Marc-André ter Stegen become the best goalkeeper in the world?
Unsurprisingly, one name is missing from the list this year. For the first time in 20 years, Cristiano Ronaldo, now 38, is not among the nominated footballers. The Portuguese door opener for Saudi Arabia’s dreams of promotion in world football was the first star player to switch to the desert after his failed World Cup and his departure from Manchester United. Not only Benzema followed him this summer.
The Ballon d’Or in men’s football has been awarded by the French specialist magazine “France Football” since 1956. He is not a substitute for the world footballer’s choice. This election will continue to be organized by the world governing body FIFA. From 2010 to 2015, the world footballer was awarded the Golden Ball through a cooperation between FIFA and “France Football”. As in the previous year, the performance of a calendar year is not considered, but the appearances in the past 2022/2023 season are decisive.
Among others, Musiala, Bellingham and the new Leipzig player Xavi Simons can hope for the Kopa Trophy for the best footballer under 21 years of age. FC Barcelona national goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen is among the ten nominees for the Yashin Trophy, which is awarded to the best goalkeeper. The awards will be presented at a ceremony on October 30th at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris.