Argentina captain Lionel Messi is an odds-on favourite to pick up his eighth Ballon d’Or after nominations for the 2023 award were confirmed, with no place on the shortlist for long-standing rival Cristiano Ronaldo.
Messi, 36, guided his country to a memorable World Cup triumph in Qatar before embarking on a new adventure with Inter Miami. He signed for the MLS franchise part-owned by David Beckham from PSG this summer.
Manchester City have been strongly represented in the 30-strong nominations list with seven players - including Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne - while Premier League superstars such as Bukayo Saka (Arsenal) and Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) are also shortlisted.
Manchester United have just a solitary nominee in Andre Onana - signed from Inter Milan this summer. Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, Rodri, Bernardo Silva and Julian Alvarez complete the City contingent while former Blues captain Ilkay Gundogan, now with Spanish giants Barcelona, is also on the list.
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According to bookmakers Bet365 - as per their website - Messi (1/12) is a standout candidate to extend his record. Haaland comes in at 13/2 and no-one else is, currently, in the picture.
Lionel Messi (1/12): A heavy favourite with the bookmakers. As things stand, it remains difficult to look past him from turning seven Ballon d’Or awards into eight. He won the World Cup and a second French Ligue 1 crown during the period under consideration, and already has a medal to his name in the United States.
Erling Haaland (13/2): In any other year, the Norway goal machine would be a shoo-in. His first campaign at City was nothing short of a dream one, scoring a staggering 52 goals in 53 games to help his team win the lot including their third straight Premier League title and maiden Champions League trophy.
What about the other contenders?
Further odds: Vinicius Junior (50/1), Kevin De Bruyne (50/1), Rodri (50/1), Ilkay Gundogan (66/1), Julian Alvarez (66/1), Kylian Mbappe (66/1), Karim Benzema (80/1), Harry Kane (100/1), Jude Bellingham (100/1), Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (200/1), Robert Lewandowski (250/1) and Mohamed Salah (500/1). Others players are available to bet on via request through the Bet365 website.
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