The Ballon d'Or shortlist is here once again, a list of 30 players who had been so far impressive in both club and country football battle it out for who will win the ultimate prize.
Although the list can obviously be seen as a two horse race, all players selected have so far played good football and at such, deserve to be given utmost respect.
The biggest name on the list is obviously Argentine football mastero, Lionel Messi, who is also top among the TOP FIVE PLAYERS WITH THE MOST INDIVIDUAL AWARDS IN FOOTBALL HISTORY
Messi nomination comes a year after he was previously left out of the shortlist in 2022. The football player made a comeback and now sits comfortably at the top three of the Balloon d'Or power ranking.
Messi could be winning his record eight Balloon d'Or, an unimaginable feat, only Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo comes close with five d'Ors to his name.
Earlier this year, Lionel Messi has previously win the Best FIFA Men's Player award for a second time.
The winner will be announced at a ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris on Oct. 30.
Everyone must admit, it's been quite an impressive past years from Lionel Messi. Leading Argentina to win the 2022 World Cup in December finally claiming the ultimate trophy at his fifth try
At club level, Messi had uls and downs. The Argentine struggled at Paris Saint-Germain as the French side were only able to win the Ligue 1 trophy after being knocked out dumped out of the Champions League at the round-of-16 stage for a second consecutive season.
Having left European football, maybe for good, he still continues his magic in the USA, signing for Inter Miami and making an immediate impact by helping them to win the Leagues Cup, (first trophy in their history) and also a pending spot in the final of the U.S. Open Cup.
Meanwhile, Lionel Messi major competition is Manchester city bot, Erling Haaland.
Haaland was also nominated and could provide Messi's strongest competition for the award.
The Norwegian striker scored 52 goals in 53 games in all competitions, helping Manchester city win the famous treble, (the Premier League, FA Cup, and the Champions League).
The 23-year-old viking, had an impressive debut in the premier league, breaking the age long record of highest goals scored in a single Premier League's season, with a record 36 goals in his debut campaign in England.
The striker also shipped home a number of individual awards for his stunning performances, winning the PFA Player of the Year, Premier League's Player of the Season and Football Writers' Association's Men's Player of the Year.
In the just released Balloon d'Or list, Manchester city players dominanted the list with seven players. Not surprising because of an awesome treble winning season they had.
FULL LIST OF BALLOON D'OR MEN NOMINEES...
Here is a full list of Balloon d'Or nominees, including seven Manchester city players and Four Argentina players.
Full list of men's Ballon d'Or nominees:
➜André Onana - Manchester ➜United/Cameroon
➜Josko Gvardiol - Manchester ➜City/Croatia
➜Karim Benzema - Al Ittihad
➜Jamal Musiala - Bayern ➜Munich/Germany
➜Mohamed Salah - Liverpool/Egypt
➜Jude Bellingham - Real ➜Madrid/England
➜Bukayo Saka - Arsenal/England
➜Randal Kolo Muani - Paris Saint-Germain/France
➜Kevin De Bruyne - Manchester City/Belgium
➜Bernardo Silva - Manchester City/Portugal
➜Emiliano Martínez - Aston Villa/Argentina
➜Khvicha Kvaratskhelia - Napoli/Georgia
➜Rúben Dias - Manchester City/Portugal
➜Nicolo Barella - Inter Milan/Italy
➜Erling Haaland - Manchester City/Norway
➜Yassine Bounou - Al Hilal/Morocco
➜Martin Ødegaard - Arsenal/Norway
➜Julián Álvarez - Manchester City/Argentina
➜Ilkay Gündogan - Barcelona/Germany
➜Vinícius Júnior - Real Madrid/Brazil
➜Lionel Messi - Inter Miami/Argentina
➜Rodri - Manchester City/Spain
➜Lautaro Martínez - Inter Milan/Argentina
➜Antoine Griezmann - Atletico Madrid/France
➜Robert Lewandowski - Barcelona/ Poland
➜Kylian Mbappé - Paris Saint-Germain/France
➜Kim Min-jae - Napoli/South Korea
➜Victor Osimhen - Napoli/Nigeria
➜Luka Modric - Real Madrid/Croatia
➜Harry Kane - Bayern Munich/England
Of course, Portugal Cristiano Ronaldo does not make the list for the first time in 20 years after a poor performance in Europe last season. The Portuguese great is however back to his major form with Saudi Pro league side, Al Nasser, winning them their first ever Arab Club cup.
The football great, is still the football player with the highest Balloon D'Or nominations with 18 total nomination. Only Arch-rival, Lionel Messi comes close.
Also, Napoli ace, Victor Osimhen, becomes the first Nigerian player since 1999 to be nominated for the Balloon D'Or after an impressive Serie A run, winning the best striker award, in one of Napoli best ever season in their history.
He may also have a chance to become the best player in the upcoming AFCON qualifying fixtures
Another Impressive name on the list is Manchester city Rodri.
Rodri had a season to remember, being one of Manchester city key players in their treble winning campeign.
The defensive midfielder was all out for Manchester city, closing up spaces, making defensive decisions and also, scoring wonderful goals, if need be.
Rodri scored Manchester city only goal in the UEFA champions league finals with a clinical finish that eluded Andre Onana.
All these facts obviously makes Rodri, a top Balloon D'Or contender.
As mentioned earlier, The winner will be announced at a ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris on Oct. 30, 2023.