The 2023 Ballon d’Or award is just less than eight months away from now. It would be expected to wrap up a glorious, scintillating, stellar season 2022/23 has been. It’s the second Ballon d’Or season since the criterion for awarding the best player was changed from an annual timeframe to a seasonal timeframe and it will no doubt give players who have put in the effort into a fruitful season a more commanding and dominating position over their peers.
Speaking of which, when it comes down to decision making, the 2022 FIFA World Cup would be at the centre of France Football’s highly crucial decision and filtering out of names for the Ballon d’Or. That of course means stars like Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi and Emiliano Martinez, would have a huge headstart in the race to clinching the French Golden ball, or at least ending in nobler and more dignifying positions than their counterparts.
That been said, based on the performances from August till date and with the decisive Qatar 2022 campaign in the middle, here’s how we at Overtime Heroics feel the race takes shape. Give or take, some of your heroes and favourites may surprisingly be exempted from this list but generally it contains at least 15-20 of the superstars who have a chance of landing the biggest individual award in soccer, that is the Ballon d’Or award.
30.) Antony-(Manchester United & Brazil) Ballon d’Or #30
A bit of a surpise for football fans would be Antony Matheus Dos Santos being on this list. Antony made a big money move to the Red Devils from Ajax at the start of the season, one that cost €100 million. He’s the third most expensive United signing ever after Romelu Lukaku and Paul Pogba and is also the most expensive transfer from an Eredivisie club.
Antony’s performance in front of goal does not particularly stand out, the winger having racked seven goals in 28 appearances in all competitions till date but there’s no contending the fact that he has been a good part of Erik Ten Hag’s reformation of the previously fallen apart Manchester United team. His boyishness, youthful vigor and skillfulness have brought a lot to the table for the Manchester side. With the EFL Cup already in the bag for Manchester United, a prospective FA Cup win and Europa League triumph for Ten Hag and his men, we expect Antony would end up on this 30-man list.
Position last time: Not included
29.) Cody Gakpo(Liverpool & Netherlands) Ballon d’Or #29
The 2022 World Cup had a lot of beneficiaries attached to it. And one of those beneficiaries was Cody Gakpo, a 6’4 attacker who used to ply his trade for PSV Eindhoven at the time of the call up. Gakpo came up with a brilliant performance across Orange’s campaign scoring three goals, one in each of their group stage games against Senegal, Ecuador and Qatar respectively as Netherlands enjoyed a fine run to the quarter-finals. The prodigy caught the eyes of a couple of suitors particularly Manchester United and Liverpool but the Reds eventually beat United to his signing. Gakpo was instrumental in his former side’s qualification to the knock-out stages of the Europa League. He was the highest goalscorer of the Dutch club before his departure with Xavi Simmons eventually taking over.
At Liverpool, Gakpo has four goals in twelve appearances including three in the Premier League. He scored a brace in the club’s 7-0 thrashing of Manchester United.
Synergizing his stellar performance at the World Cup, PSV and his upgrade move to Liverpool, it would be no shock to see the 23-year old make this prestigious list come October.
Position last time: Not included
28.) Casemiro(Manchester United & Brazil) Ballon d’Or #28
Casemiro’s inclusion in this list heavily depends on United’s overall performance at the end of the season but the Brazilian midfielder has played a huge role at the Old Trafford this season. A midfielder with so much defensive abilities coupled with attacking qualities, Casemiro’s part in United’s midline is a big chunk of the whole portion.
He was heavily missed in the United-Liverpool clash and some would have argued his absence contributed to the 7-0 thumping Ten Hag’s men received at the hands of Jurgen Klopp’s.
Position last time: 17
27.) Christopher Nkunku(RB Leipzig & France) Ballon d’Or #27
RB Leipzig’s Nkunku narrowly missed out on the FIFA World Cup thanks to a knee injury which is one reason he’s not ranked higher on this list.
Nevertheless, the Frenchman’s club statistics speak for itself. He’s scored seventeen goals in 27 appearances for The Red Bulls this season, including 12 in the Bundesliga. He was the highest goalscorer at the end of 2022 but was later surpassed by Werder Bremen’s Niclas Füllkrug who currently tops the goalscoring charts
Courtesy of his goalscoring prowess, Marco Rose’s side are fourth-placed in the Bundesliga this season and are in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League where they meet with Manchester City next week at the Etihad having played out a 1-1 draw at home.
Position last time: 25
26.) Pablo Gavira(Barcelona & Spain) Ballon d’Or #26
Last time out at the Ballon d’Or ceremony in the Théâtre du Châtelet, Paris, this talented Spaniard teenager scooped up the Kopa Award for the best U-21 player beating off fierce competition from the likes of Jamal Musiala, Jude Bellingham, Eduardo Camavinga.
Gavi is growing into an important, central role at the Camp Nou, one that looks very much like his current head coach, Xavi Hernandez’s, during his time as a player. He’s a building block of the Catalans’ midfield. Barcelona are on the course to landing their first La Liga trophy since 2018/19 and if they can successfully merge this with the Copa Del Ray for a historic double, the 18 year old may find his name on this list.
Position last time: Not included
25.) Pedri Gonzalez(Barcelona & Spain) Ballon d’Or #25
A position higher than his national and club teammate, Pedri Gonzalez has already established himself as a driving force in Catalan hierarchies, an essential in Xavi’s game strategy and it was so evident that the Blaugranas missed him alongside Gavi in the Europa League contest against United. Barcelona have no trouble getting their homework done when it comes to domestic matters, the only problem has been and still is Europe. With the Super Copa De Espana already in the bag one hand on the La Liga title, and a foot in the Copa Del Ray final, the 20-year old already has a season with results to show for his efforts.
Position last time: Not included
24.) Neymar (Paris Saint Germain & Brazil) Ballon d’Or #24
The Brazilian star should be ranked higher on this list but Neymar’s habitual nemesis has gotten the better of him, bringing a disastrous ending to his 2022-23 season at the French capital. Neymar’s injury proneness always gets in the way of him performing at the highest level. We saw him pick up an ankle injury in Brazil’s World Cup opener, albeit recovering to play both knock-out games, the Round of 16 and quarter-finals against South Korea and Croatia respectively. Neymar has 18 goals in 29 appearances for PSG this season, the least of the deadly trio including Messi and Mbappe.
PSG are out of the Champions League, are favourites to win the league, Brazil made a disappointing quarter-final exit at the 2022 World Cup thanks to Croatia, so the 31-year old would not be in the typical hot zone he’s been most of the times.
Position last time: Not included.
23.) Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund & England) Ballon d’Or #23
A teenager with so much guts. Jude Bellingham has had to step into Erling Haaland’s boots since the manchild stepped away from the Signal Iduna Park last summer. The 19-year old has scored 10 goals in 33 games in all competitions this season. Playing a huge part in the German side this season, Borussia Dortmund occupy second position in the Bundesliga this season and are in hot pursuit of league leaders and rivals, Bayern Munich, trailing the latter by just two points.
Bellingham also had a fine outing at the 2022 World Cup in which England made the quarter-finals. Coupling his national performance with his decent club season, the teenager should be able to land a spot that’s close to this at the end of the season.
Position last time: Not included
22.) Harry Kane(Tottenham & England) Ballon d’Or #22
Coming in at No 22 is Tottenham striker, Harry Kane. The 29-year old should be doing better than he is but has been and still is being hindered by the performance of his club, Tottenham. Harry Kane is one elite striker who deserves to be mentioned in the same category as Haaland, Lewandowski and Benzema but one thing that curtails the Englishman is his lack of trophies thanks to Spurs’ fruitless campaigns season in and out.
Kane has 22 goals in 38 games so far this season, his club was recently dumped out of both the UEFA Champions League and the FA Cup which means he wouldn’t be clinching any silverware at the end of the season. Nonetheless, Kane’s personal stats should earn him a decent position as always in the Ballon d’Or 30 man shortlist.
Position last time: 21
21.) Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint Germain & Morroco) Ballon d’Or #21
People were stunned when Regragui’s Morrocan side defied all the odds to make the first ever African semi-final World Cup appearance. En-route to the last four, Morroco had really sensational victories against both Spain and Portugal, and Achraf Hakimi was an integral part of that heroic squad. Morroco were really solid on the defence, perhaps the most solid of all 32 teams, conceding in only three games and a total of five goals.
At Paris Saint Germain, Hakimi is a regular starter, a member of Christopher Galtier’s starting XI. The right back has 32 caps in all competitions this season with four goals to show for it. Not bad for a defender.
Position last time: Not included
20.) Robert Lewandowski (FC Barcelona & Poland) Ballon d’Or #20
The once highly regarded and esteemed Bayern Munich hitman has found himself struggling with form in recent times at Barcelona which is why he’s sixteen spots off where he finished last season. Nonetheless, Lewandowski has 25 goals to his name in 31 games this season. At the start of the season, the 34-year old brought on his goalscoring energy to the pitch for the Blaugranas but things have changed of recent. Since the resumption of the season in late December, Lewandowski has managed six goals across all competitions, a bit off the mark for a prolific striker who scores at a terrifying rate.
But we still see the Pole getting included in this list. With the Pichichi award in view, the Super Copa De Espana and a potential domestic double, chances are the former Bayern forward lands a position in the Ballon d’Or shortlist.
Position last time: 4
19.) Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City & Belgium) Ballon d’Or #19
KDB was a ghost of himself in Qatar last year. Belgium on the overall were disappointing, unable to advance beyond the group stages of the World Cup for a relatively easy group. But the narrative changes a bit when we journey to Manchester City where the Belgian plies his club trade. According to one versus one, De Bruyne has a total of 12 assists in the Premier League this season, the highest and also the highest number of chances created in England’s topflight with a total of 57 chances created. Manchester City ousting Arsenal and triumphing in Europe would mean Kevin De Bruyne ends up with a great position.
Position last time: 3
18.) Karim Benzema (Real Madrid & France) Ballon d’Or #18
Here comes the defending Ballon d’Or award winner. To start with, Benzema is nowhere near the feats he achieved last season with Madrid. Fifteen goals in the Champions League, 27 goals in the League, the Pichichi, UEFA Golden boot and Best Player Award, the La Liga, Champions League and Nations League, Benzema was the clear favourite to land the award which he eventually did.
But this season, it’s an entirely different story. With injury woes and personal issues standing in between the 34-year old and a World Cup outing at Qatar, a dry spell domestically where practically every trophy has been conceded to Barcelona, the French man has just one thing left to do and that is win the Champions League. Clinching the quinzieme UCL trophy for Los Blancos would ensure that the Madrid striker at least wraps up the season with a graceful Ballon d’Or position.
Position last time: 1
17.) Mohamed Salah (Liverpool & Egypt) Ballon d’Or #17
Liverpool have had a dissatisfying campaign so far this spell. Last season, the club had a chance to win a quadruple, going home with both the FA Cup and the EFL but narrowly missing out on the Premier League and the Champions League. Fast-forwarding to this season, Liverpool are on the brink of ending the season without a trophy if they can’t pull off a comeback at Santiago Bernabeu or they already have ended without a trophy.
Salah ranked fifth placed on this list last time out but due to Egypt not qualifying for the World Cup at Qatar and Liverpool’s rather below standard, trophy-shy campaign, we don’t expect him to end up anywhere near the top 10 on the list. Liverpool have a whole lot of work to do to ensure they make it to the Champions League next season. Mohamed Salah has 22 goals in 38 games this season. Ironically, he leads the Champions League goalscoring charts with eight goals, one ahead of the already eliminated Kylian Mbappe. Salah’s personal stats should help him secure a spot on this list regardless of Liverpool’s inconsistent performance this season.
Position last time: 5
16.) Riyadh Mahrez (Manchester City & Algeria) Ballon d’Or #16
Riyadh Mahrez didn’t come to the party in Qatar but still the Algerian winger has a lot going on for him in Manchester City this season. Five points behind league leaders, Arsenal, the FA Cup and UEFA Champions League in view, 12 goals in 32 appearances in all competitions this season, the 32-year old has a solid chance of getting his name included on the list at the conclusion of the 2022-23 campaign.
Position last time: 12
15.) Gabriel Martinelli( Arsenal & Brazil) Ballon d’Or #15
The São Paulo born forward has played a sizeable role in Arsenal’s resurgence this season alongside the likes of Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard. The 21-year old has scored 12 goals in 36 appearances this season, is the highest goalscorer for the Gunners in both the Premier League and all competitions. Should Arsenal win the league which they likely will, Martinelli has a fair chance of landing a good position on the Ballon d’Or shortlist.
Position last time: Not included.
14.) Julian Alvarez(Manchester City & Argentina) Ballon d’Or #14
Julian Alvarez is exactly where he wants to be in both club and country. A world cup winner, Alvarez scored four of La Albiceste’s fifteen World Cup goals in Qatar and was Lionel Messi’s accomplice in wreaking havoc on Argentina’s opponents.
Alvarez’s part in Manchester City this season is not so much of a big deal but considering Guardiola’s men are chasing hard after the UEFA Champions League and can still clasp the Premier League should Arsenal slip at the top of the table, the 22-year old cannot be written off. Certainly not.
Position last time: Not included
13.) Leroy Sane (Bayern Munich & Germany) Ballon d’Or #13
Ever since Robert Lewandowski exited the German capital for a move to Spain in the summer, Sane amongst many others have taken up the finisher’s responsibilities at the Allianz Arena. But for a couple of injury hassles, Sane should be performing at a higher level. The winger is a big part of Bayern run to the Champions League quarter-finals this season, with four goals in six games including an away brace against Inter Milan in the group stages. He is Bayern’s third highest goal scorer this season behind Eric Maxim Choupo Moting(17) and Jamal Musiala(15). With Bayern being able to go for it all; the Bundesliga, the Champions League and DFB Pokal Cup, Sane’s inclusion on this list looks quite inevitable.
Position last time: Not included
12.) Victor Osimhen (SSC Napoli & Nigeria) Ballon d’Or #12
The Nigerian striker has taken the Italian Serie A by storm this campaign. The hitman boasts 21 goals in 25 appearances in all competitions including 19 in the Serie A where Napoli lead the table with 68 points, 18 points clear of second placed Inter Milan. Courtesy of a deadly duo formed with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Napoli are one of the most potent sides in Europe this season. Spalleti’s men are in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League and it looks like they can go through just about anybody taking into perspective the real tenacity and prowess they’ve exuded this spell. A Capocannoniere award, a Serie A title and possibly a UEFA Champions League semi-final or final appearance should see the 24-year old rank really high on the Ballon d’Or shortlist.
Position last time: Not included
11.) Lautaro Martinez(Inter Milan & Argentina) Ballon d’Or #11
Martinez had a limited role and a largely quiet, goal-shy campaign at Qatar 2022, but the same cannot be said for the Argentine forward when it comes down to club matters. Martinez is the highest goal scorer for Inzaghi’s side this season with a decent tally of 17 goals in 36 appearances. Having already conceded the league to an upbeat Napoli side, Inter Milan have their attention on the Champions League and the Coppa Italia. They’re on the verge of making a quarter-finals appearance just like their city rivals for the first time since 2010 after making a knock-out stage appearance for the first time since the same year. In all of this, Martinez remains key for Inter and in fine form for the blue side of Milan.
Plus, despite his lacklustre performance at the global outing in December, he actually hoisted the cup with his teammates. Regardless of how bad he may have been, Martinez is a world cup winner and that would serve as a huge advantage for him.
Position last time: Not included
10.) Jamal Musiala(Bayern Munich & Germany) Ballon d’Or #10
Now we know you weren’t expecting this wonderkid high up in this list. But Jamal Musiala has been sensational this season and is fast maturing into a young lad at the Allianz Arena. With 15 goals in 34 appearances, Musiala has already equalled his combined tally from the three seasons prior to this one(2019/20, 2020/21 and 2021/22) which shows just how much development he’s gone through and how well he’s bursting on to the big stage.
In the coming days, we may see Musiala lead the frontline for Bayern but even at the moment he’s already a force to reckon with for Julian Naglesmann’s side. He’s got so much skill and swiftness with the ball at this feet and this was evidenced in the 2022 World Cup where the prodigy completed 19 dribbles in just three games despite Germany’s inability to progress beyond the group-stages of the competition.
This ranking is based on the projection that we see Bayern Munich either winning the UEFA Champions League or at least making the semi-finals or finals.
Position last time: Not included
9.) Olivier Giroud( AC Milan & France) Ballon d’Or #9
Giroud may have played second fiddle to Mbappe at the 2022 World Cup but his was a close second. The forward racked up four goals in the competition to help his team to the finals alongside the PSG striker.
Moving down to Italy, AC Milan are in an unsatisfying fifth position. Despite the fact that Luciano Spalleti’s Napoli have run away with the Serie A title already, finishing as runners-up in the league is still achievable for Milan. Their city rivals, Inter, are just two points ahead of them at the summit. Rossoneri are in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League for he first time ever since 2012, the Frenchman’s got four goals in eight appearances in this European season and things are going relatively fine for Giroud.
Position last time: Not included
8.) Marcus Rashford( Manchester United & England) Ballon d’Or #8
Never have we seen Rashford at a stage this big and he definitely deserves to be in this big picture. In the wake of Cristiano Ronaldo’s rather infamous exit from Old Trafford, Rashford has stepped in to play the most important role under Ten Hag’s administration and he has done that beautifully. The Englishman has scored 26 goals in all competitions this season including 14 in the Premier League. He owns almost one-third of United’s total tally this season.
He scored thrice at the World Cup in Qatar helping England to the quarter-finals.
Should United win the Europa League and FA Cup, Dr. Marcus Rashford would definitely be ending somewhere high up on the rankings.
Position last time: Not included
7.) Emiliano Martinez( Aston Villa & Argentina) Ballon d’Or #7
The likeliest winner of the Yashin Trophy, Martinez is the second reason( after Lionel Messi) Argentina prevailed in Qatar. The 6’5 goal keeper used his huge frame to La Albiceste’s advantage, pulling quite a number of heroic saves and stops. Lionel Scaloni’s men despite having a potent attack weren’t good on the defense but had this man to thank on a couple of occasions. Martinez’s tactics helped Argentina record a penalty shoot-out victory over France in the finals, he saved what could have been the injury time winner from Randal Kolo Muani, saved his country in the quarter-final shoot-out against Netherlands. He was simply superb. Club speaking, Aston Villa are 11th placed in the Premier League, eliminated from both the FA and EFL Cups but hey, who cares? We don’t and we certainly hope you feel the same way about Dibu.
We’re talking about a World Cup Golden glove winner. Martinez also clinched the Best Goalkeeper Award at the recently concluded FIFA awards earlier this month, so that’s all we need and want to know.
Position last time: Not included
6.) Enzo Fernandez(Chelsea & Argentina) Ballon d’Or #6
The broke onto the global stage thanks to a successful outing at Qatar in December. Fernandez was La Albiceste’s next most important player after Lionel Messi and Emiliano Martinez. The former Benfica man would be remembered for having scored an aesthetic curler in the 2-0 win over Mexico, a win that initiated Argentina’s redemption and retribution quest at the tournament. Fernandez was a key player, making key interceptions and helping hold a South American side that could have otherwise capitulated defensively. He landed the award for the Best Young Player and his performance earned him attention from the big boys around Europe. Chelsea eventually secured the services of the defensive midfielder for a deal worth £106.5million, the most expensive in British transfer history.
Fernandez and his teammates are in the quarter-finals of the Champions League having overcome Borussia Dortmund. Further progression into the semis would make Fernandez a huge contender for top-10, considering his already cemented elite national status.
Position last time: Not included
5.) Bukayo Saka(Arsenal & England) Ballon d’Or #5
We’re absolutely loving the Arsenal transformation that’s been ongoing since the start of this season. Coming off their spectacular pre-season performance which included a 6-0 thrashing of Sevilla, many, Gunners included would have felt Mikel Arteta couldn’t carry such magnificent form into the Premier League. And he’s done just that. Arsenal are on the verge of winning their first league title in nineteen years and Bukayo Saka is at the heart of it.
Eleven goals to the good, including 10 in the Premier League, Saka’s league stats show just how important his role in the Gunners’ season run has been.
To couple with a fairy tale Premier League win this season, Bukayo Saka shined at the World Cup in Qatar, greatly helping his nation, England to the quarter-finals where they were eventually eliminated by Kylian Mbappe’s France.
Winning the Premier League, possibly the Europa and a decent performance at the World Cup should see the 21-year old make a top 15 finish on the 2023 Ballon d’Or rankings.
Position last time: Not included
4.) Vinicius Jr(Brazil & Real Madrid)Ballon d’Or #4
With number four up for grabs and no other player to fill in this position , we introduce to you Vinicius Jr. A young, vibrant, warm blooded, winger with so much tenacity and prowess. Vinicius Jr is Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema today, their Cristiano Ronaldo in the nearest future. He’s at the forefront for Florentino Perez’s enterprise this season. The Brazilian forward has got some really big shoes to fill in now that Benzema is gradually fading out. Remember he scored the only goal of the Champions League final at the Stade Denis last season. Vinicius Jr has 19 goals to his name in 39 appearances this current spell. His club, Madrid have an obvious advantage heading into the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League having decimated them 5-2 at Anfield. Domestically, the waters are troubled for Madrid. Conceding a 3-1 defeat to Barcelona in January, Madrid let go of the Super Copa De Espana and it’s likely they do the same with the remaining domestic trophies, Barcelona having one hand wrapped tightly around both the La Liga and the Copa Del Ray courtesy of a nine-point gulf at the top of the table and being a goal behind in the semis of the domestic cup respectively.
Position last time: 8
3.) Erling Haaland(Manchester City & Norway) Ballon d’Or #3
At the start of the season, we were absolutely electrified by what a sensational season Erling Braut Haaland was having at Manchester City. Some said he couldn’t perform in the English Premier League, some felt he was going to school the league and that’s what this Norwegian lad has been doing ever since. In the wake of a move worth £51.2m from Borussia Dortmund in the summer, Haaland has been banging goals week in, week out for The Citizens. He’s been synonyms to goals, more goals and match balls. The prodigy has already got the Golden boot in his bag with 28 league goals, a score that’s bettered by no other in terms of points across all of Europe.
Haaland’s eyes are fixed on the Premier League but more importantly and predictably the UEFA Champions League which his club Manchester City have never won. Perhaps, what they signed him for. City have one leg in the Champions League quarter-finals thanks to a decent 1-1 away draw with RB Leipzig.
But Haaland may be regretting not donning the traditional white and blue English jersey. His inability to feature at the World Cup due to Norway not qualifying may cost him the award eventually as his close contenders, Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi had sensational tournaments for France and Argentina respectively.
Position last time: 10
2.) Kylian Mbappe(Paris Saint Germain & France) Ballon d’Or #2
The future of soccer, Kylian Mbappe caught the eyes of all and sundry with his spell binding performance at the global event in Qatar late last year. Particularly his hat-trick scoring performance in the final against Lionel Messi’s Argentina, Mbappe almost single-handedly gave his country the trophy but for a penalty shoot-out loss. He came away with the Golden boot award and should have claimed the Golden Ball too had France won the competition. He’s swimming in double figures in Paris this season, with 30 goals in 31 appearances for Christopher Galtier’s side this season. He’s already eased up on Erling Haaland in the race for the Golden Boot but Mbappe’s overall stats are surely a beauty to behold.
Position last time: 6
1.) Lionel Messi(Paris Saint Germain & Argentina) Ballon d’Or #1
It’s a bit tricky to decide who occupies top spot at this very moment but for now, we’d just go ahead with PSG and Argentina’s Lionel Messi, a record seventh-time Ballon d’Or winner and arguably the greatest footballer on the planet earth.
Lionel Messi and Paris Saint Germain may have been dumped out of the Champions League last 16 by Bayern Munich but Messi’s grasp on what could be a record extending eighth Ballon d’Or award still remains rock solid. The 35-year old lifted the greatest, apex football trophy, the World Cup in Qatar three months ago, being inarguably the best player of the tournament with seven goals and three assists and ever since then, it’s been quite difficult to see him placed anywhere outside top three regardless of what the rest of the season may hold for his club.
Well, PSG are out of the Champions League, Ligue 1 leaders which doesn’t say too much but Messi’s global triumph would speak volume when decisions are to be made in October. Fortunately for the former Barcelona man, his close contender, Kylian Mbappe happens to be his teammate at the French capital implying that the two men would be on par when compared on club basis, winning the same trophies and ending up with the same collective achievements. The distinguishing factor which would inevitably be the World Cup has got Messi written all over it. We may see a huitième Ballon d’Or in October.
Position last time: Not included
What do you think about this list? Are there any missing names you expect to be included. Yes, there are a few. In the further revisions of this projected Ballon d’Or shortlist, we’d be adding the likes of Phil Foden, Martin Odegaard, Goncalo Ramos, Joao Cancelo, Bernardo Silva and removing some not so impressive names.
Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
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