Messi aiming for Record Eighth Trophy as full Rankings Revealed

The 2023 Ballon d’Or will be handed out on Monday night by publication France Football, with Lionel Messi chasing an unprecedented eighth success in the award’s history.

The Inter Miami star is among the hot favourites to claim the gong after leading Argentina to 2022 World Cup glory in Qatar, but he isn’t the only player eyeing success at the ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris.

While there is no competition from Messi’s long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo – the Portugal international has been left off the shortlist for the first time since 2003 – Erling Haaland’s ridiculous strike rate in front of goal with Manchester City means the Norwegian will have plenty of supporters in the voting.

The golden ball isn’t the only award being handed out either. As well as the equivalent prize in the women’s game, the Kopa Trophy, Yashin Trophy, Socrates Award, Gerd Muller Trophy and Club of the Year will all be handed to game-leading figures in the modern game.