The 2023 Ballon d'Or: A Look at the Nominees, Cristiano Ronaldo's Absence & The Prestigious Lineage of Ballon d'Or Winners with its History

Introduction

The Ballon d'Or is one of the most prestigious individual awards in the world of football, celebrating the best players on the planet. In the 2023 edition of the Ballon d'Or, we have witnessed an exciting array of nominees and some surprising omissions. In this research blog, we will explore three key aspects: the list of men's Ballon d'Or nominees, the notable absence of Cristiano Ronaldo, and the significance of this year's award.

Full List of Men's Ballon d'Or Nominees

Let's kick things off by examining the impressive list of nominees for the 2023 Ballon d'Or:

1. André Onana - Manchester United/Cameroon
2. Josko Gvardiol - Manchester City/Croatia
3. Karim Benzema - Al Ittihad
4. Jamal Musiala - Bayern Munich/Germany
5. Mohamed Salah - Liverpool/Egypt
6. Jude Bellingham - Real Madrid/England
7. Bukayo Saka - Arsenal/England
8. Randal Kolo Muani - Paris Saint-Germain/France
9. Kevin De Bruyne - Manchester City/Belgium
10. Bernardo Silva - Manchester City/Portugal
11. Emiliano Martínez - Aston Villa/Argentina
12. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia - Napoli/Georgia
13. Rúben Dias - Manchester City/Portugal
14. Nicolo Barella - Inter Milan/Italy
15. Erling Haaland - Manchester City/Norway
16. Yassine Bounou - Al Hilal/Morocco
17. Martin Ødegaard - Arsenal/Norway
18. Julián Álvarez - Manchester City/Argentina
19. Ilkay Gündogan - Barcelona/Germany
20. Vinícius Júnior - Real Madrid/Brazil
21. Lionel Messi - Inter Miami/Argentina
22. Rodri - Manchester City/Spain
23. Lautaro Martínez - Inter Milan/Argentina
24. Antoine Griezmann - Atletico Madrid/France
25. Robert Lewandowski - Barcelona/Poland
26. Kylian Mbappé - Paris Saint-Germain/France
27. Kim Min-jae - Napoli/South Korea
28. Victor Osimhen - Napoli/Nigeria
29. Luka Modric - Real Madrid/Croatia
30. Harry Kane - Bayern Munich/England

This star-studded list showcases some of the most talented and accomplished footballers from around the world, each vying for the coveted Ballon d'Or title.

Cristiano Ronaldo's Absence from the Nominees

G.O.A.T Cristiano Ronaldo

One name that conspicuously stands out from the list of nominees is Cristiano Ronaldo. The absence of the football legend has raised eyebrows and generated considerable discussion among fans and pundits alike. While the exact reasons for his omission are not officially confirmed, there are several factors that may have contributed to this surprising development.

Age and Performance: Ronaldo, despite his incredible career, is now in his late-30s. While he has continued to perform at a high level, some argue that younger talents are currently more deserving of the accolade.
Transfer Movements: Ronaldo's move to Al-Nasr may have influenced the decision, as the SPL is perceived as a less competitive league compared to top European leagues.
Team Performance: The team's performance, both domestically and internationally, can impact a player's chances of being nominated. If Al-Nasr had a lackluster season, it could have affected Ronaldo's nomination.
Voting Preferences: Ballon d'Or voting is often influenced by the preferences of journalists, coaches, and national team captains. Changes in voting patterns may have also played a role.

The Significance of the 2023 Ballon d'Or

The 2023 Ballon d'Or promises to be a thrilling affair, with a wide range of candidates representing different clubs and nations. This year's award not only recognizes individual excellence but also serves as a barometer of the evolving landscape of world football. It showcases the emergence of young talents like Jamal Musiala and Bukayo Saka alongside established stars like Lionel Messi and Robert Lewandowski.

As football enthusiasts, we eagerly await the announcement of the winner, as the Ballon d'Or continues to be a symbol of excellence and achievement in the beautiful game.

A Brief History of the Ballon d'Or

The Ballon d'Or, often referred to as the "Golden Ball," is an iconic and prestigious football award that has been a beacon of excellence in the sport for decades. Established in 1956 by the French football magazine 'France Football,' the Ballon d'Or annually honors the world's best football player, recognizing exceptional talent and outstanding contributions to the sport. In this introduction, we will delve into the rich history of the Ballon d'Or and also provide a glimpse of the distinguished individuals who have claimed this coveted title in the past.

The origins of the Ballon d'Or can be traced back to the desire of 'France Football' to recognize and celebrate the footballing brilliance of the time. The inaugural award in 1956 was presented to Stanley Matthews, an English footballer known for his dribbling skills and longevity in the game. Initially, the award was restricted to European players playing for European clubs, but it later expanded to include players from around the world.

Over the years, the Ballon d'Or has evolved in response to the changing dynamics of the sport. In 1995, the eligibility criteria were broadened to include non-European players playing for European clubs, leading to a more diverse range of nominees and winners. Subsequently, the award merged with the FIFA World Player of the Year in 2010 to create the FIFA Ballon d'Or, which continued until 2015 when it reverted to its original name, the Ballon d'Or.

The Prestigious Lineage of Ballon d'Or Winners

The Ballon d'Or has been graced by some of the greatest footballing talents in history. These exceptional players have left an indelible mark on the sport, and their names are etched into football's annals. Here are the names of the previous winners who have basked in the glory of this prestigious award:

1956: Stanley Matthews (Blackpool, England)
1957: Alfredo Di Stéfano (Real Madrid, Argentina/Spain)
1958: Raymond Kopa (Real Madrid, France)
1959: Alfredo Di Stéfano (Real Madrid, Argentina/Spain)
1960: Luis Suárez (Barcelona, Spain)
1961: Omar Sívori (Juventus, Argentina/Italy)
1962: Josef Masopust (Dukla Prague, Czechoslovakia)
1963: Lev Yashin (Dynamo Moscow, USSR)
1964: Denis Law (Manchester United, Scotland)
1965: Eusébio (Benfica, Portugal)
1966: Bobby Charlton (Manchester United, England)
1967: Flórián Albert (Ferencváros, Hungary)
1968: George Best (Manchester United, Northern Ireland)
1969: Gianni Rivera (AC Milan, Italy)
1970: Gerd Müller (Bayern Munich, West Germany)
1971: Johan Cruyff (Ajax, Netherlands)
1972: Franz Beckenbauer (Bayern Munich, West Germany)
1973: Johan Cruyff (Barcelona, Netherlands)
1974: Johan Cruyff (Barcelona, Netherlands)
1975: Oleg Blokhin (Dynamo Kyiv, USSR)
1976: Franz Beckenbauer (Bayern Munich, West Germany)
1977: Allan Simonsen (Borussia Mönchengladbach, Denmark)
1978: Kevin Keegan (Hamburg, England)
1979: Kevin Keegan (Hamburg, England)
1980: Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (Bayern Munich, West Germany)
1981: Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (Bayern Munich, West Germany)
1982: Paolo Rossi (Juventus, Italy)
1983: Michel Platini (Juventus, France)
1984: Michel Platini (Juventus, France)
1985: Michel Platini (Juventus, France)
1986: Igor Belanov (Dynamo Kyiv, USSR)
1987: Ruud Gullit (AC Milan, Netherlands)
1988: Marco van Basten (AC Milan, Netherlands)
1989: Marco van Basten (AC Milan, Netherlands)
1990: Lothar Matthäus (Internazionale, West Germany/Germany)
1991: Jean-Pierre Papin (Marseille, France)
1992: Marco van Basten (AC Milan, Netherlands)
1993: Roberto Baggio (Juventus, Italy)
1994: Hristo Stoichkov (Barcelona, Bulgaria)
1995: George Weah (AC Milan, Liberia)
1996: Matthias Sammer (Borussia Dortmund, Germany)
1997: Ronaldo (Internazionale, Brazil)
1998: Zinedine Zidane (Juventus, France)
1999: Rivaldo (Barcelona, Brazil)
2000: Luis Figo (Real Madrid, Portugal)
2001: Michael Owen (Liverpool, England)
2002: Ronaldo (Real Madrid, Brazil)
2003: Pavel Nedvěd (Juventus, Czech Republic)
2004: Andriy Shevchenko (AC Milan, Ukraine)
2005: Ronaldinho (Barcelona, Brazil)
2006: Fabio Cannavaro (Real Madrid, Italy)
2007: Kaká (AC Milan, Brazil)
2008: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United, Portugal)
2009: Lionel Messi (Barcelona, Argentina)
2010: Lionel Messi (Barcelona, Argentina)
2011: Lionel Messi (Barcelona, Argentina)
2012: Lionel Messi (Barcelona, Argentina)
2013: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid, Portugal)
2014: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid, Portugal)
2015: Lionel Messi (Barcelona, Argentina)
2016: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid, Portugal)
2017: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid, Portugal)
2018: Luka Modrić (Real Madrid, Croatia)
2019: Lionel Messi (Barcelona, Argentina)
2020: Canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2021: Lionel Messi (Paris Saint-Germain, Argentina)
2022: Karim Benzema (Real Madrid, France)

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Ballon d'Or represents more than just an individual accolade; it encapsulates the essence of football itself—the dedication, passion, and moments of brilliance that make this sport a global phenomenon. From its humble beginnings to the grand stage it occupies today, the Ballon d'Or has celebrated football's finest talents and borne witness to the evolution of the beautiful game. As we eagerly await each new recipient and the stories they bring, we can be certain that the legacy of this prestigious award will continue to inspire generations of players and fans, reminding us that, in football, dreams can be realized and greatness is eternally celebrated.

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