There are very few days left to meet the new Ballon d’Or 2023 and everything indicates that it will be given to Lionel Messi, who with his performance in the Qatar 2022 World Cup with Argentina positioned himself as the main candidate, above names like Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne or Rodri. In that sense, in advance of the ceremony that will take place next Monday, March 30 at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, a recent statement by the Rosario star was released, in which he praises Karim Benzema.
Let us remember that the French striker, who currently plays for Al Ittihad in the Saudi League, won the trophy last season, so ‘Leo’ would be his successor in the chronological order of the awards. Thus, the Inter Miami footballer praised the Frenchman in a recent interview with the newspaper L’Equipe.
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“I think he was a fair winner. He deserves it for the great year he had and what he has been doing throughout his entire career.“, he stated in a preview of the extensive interview that will be published in the aforementioned medium in the coming days.
Likewise, Messi maintained that the fact that a player like Benzema is recognized is something deserved for his career and because it does good for this sport. “Benzema is a wonderful player and I think that he has this recognition is important for him and for football.”, he pointed out.
On the other hand, returning to what could happen within a week, if the ‘Flea’ ends up winning the 2023 Ballon d’Or, he will become the only footballer in history to lift said award for the eighth time, something unprecedented. He won the others in the following years: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019 and 2021.
At the moment, the closest pursuer of the Argentine is Cristiano Ronaldo, who has five Ballon d’Or awards: 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017. Given how things are going in the world of football and how difficult it is for a player to show his best level and sustain it over the years, it seems impossible that anyone can surpass Lionel Messi.
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When and at what time will the 2023 Ballon d’Or award ceremony be?
According to the schedule established by France Football magazine, the Golden Ball 2023 It will take place next Monday, October 30, with a schedule yet to be confirmed. Of course, the location has already been defined, it will be at the Châtelet Theater in the city of Paris, France. Some television channels with the rights to broadcast this event have been announcing it for 1:00 pm (in Peruvian time and two more hours in Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Uruguay).
Who are the nominees for the 2023 Ballon d’Or?
- Josko Gvardiol
- Jamal Musiala
- Andre Onana
- Karim Benzema
- Mohamed Salah
- Bukayo Saka
- Kevin De Bruyne
- Jude Bellingham
- Randal Kolo Muani
- Bernard Silva
- Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
- Nicolò Barella
- Emiliano Martínez
- Ruben Dias
- Erling Haaland
- Martin Odegaard
- Ilkay Gundogan
- Yassine Bounou
- Julian Alvarez
- Vinicius Jr
- Rodri
- Antoine Griezmann
- Lionel Messi
- Lautaro Martínez
- Robert Lewandowski
- Kim Min-jae
- Luka modric
- Kylian Mbappé
- Victor Osimhen
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