It is that time of the year again. The time when the football world crowns one player as the best in the world as they are decorated with the Ballon d’Or, literally Golden Ball.
This Monday, at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, the winner of this award will be announced, as well as the winners of the women’s Ballon d’Or, the Kopa Trophy (best young player), the Yashin Trophy (best goalkeeper), the Socrates Award (humanitarian work), the Gerd Muller Trophy (best striker) and a Club of the Year award will be presented.
With one day to go until the winners are announced, all bets are on Lionel Messi to win his EIGHTH Ballon d’Or.
Lionel Messi has had an incredible year. He kicked it all off with the greatest achievement of them all, the World Cup. Carrying the Argentina side on his short, squat back, Messi won the Golden Ball for the best player at the tournament and the Silver Ball for the second top scorer. Inspirational performances from Messi throughout the game mesmerized the footballing world and in the final, the little wizard stepped up and scored twice to beat France and bring the coveted trophy to Argentina for the first time in 36 years.
Following the highest of highs, Messi continued to thrive. He scored his 700th club goal and registered his 300th assist soon after returning to PSG after the World Cup. He soon overtook Cristiano Ronaldo as the player with the most goals in European club football history. Against Strasbourg, Messi scored to secure a draw for PSG and help the Parisiens secure their 11th Ligue 1 title. In doing so, Messi became the player with the most goals in the history of Europe’s top five leagues, with 496 goals.
He finished the season as the top assister in the French league and he was named to the team of the season. But Messi’s season didn’t stop there. In fact, it was just getting started.
Messi made a historic move to Inter Miami where he won the Herons their first-ever trophy as he led the side to the Leagues Cup.
It was truly a great year for Messi.
Who else is in contention?
Erling Haaland (23) – Norway / Manchester City – Striker
Haaland has a right to feel aggrieved if he doesn’t win. I mean, who scores 52 goals in 53 games, as well as winning the treble, and doesn’t win the Ballon d’Or. Haaland broke the Premier League single-season scoring record and terrorised Premier League defences week after week.
The good news for Haaland? Time is his friend. At just 23, he can keep this going for years and years and one would expect that it isn’t long until the Norwegian giant gets his hands on a Ballon d’Or.
Kylian Mbappé (24) – France / PSG – Striker
Mbappé had a sensational year. He won the top scorer award at the World Cup and scored a hat trick in the final against Argentina as he tried and tried again to bring the trophy back to France for the title defence. He then became PSG’s top scorer of all-time as well as Ligue 1’s top scorer for the season and the player of the season. It is easy to forget that Mbappé is only 24 but he is quickly becoming one of the greats.
Vinicius Jr (23) – Brazil / Real Madrid – Winger
Vinicius Jr continues to go from strength to strength. His performances in the Champions League were electric and he grew into the number seven shirt that he inherited from Cristiano Ronaldo. He didn’t feel the weight of it, he thrived in it.
Kevin de Bruyne (32) – Belgium / Manchester City – Midfielder
Kevin de Bruyne is just incredible. With his pinpoint passing and telepathic connection with Erling Haaland, de Bruyne helped Manchester City towards the treble.
Who’s the most likely to win the other awards?
Ballon d’Or Fémenin – Aitana Bonmati (Spain and Barcelona)
Kopa Trophy – Jude Bellingham (England and Dortmund / Real Madrid)
Yashin Trophy – Ederson (Brazil and Manchester City)
Gerd Muller Trophy – Erling Haaland (Norway and Manchester City)
Club of the Year – Manchester City
By Nicky Helfgott / @NickyH3lfgott on Twitter (X)
