Ballon d’Or shortlist in FULL: Who are the nominees for 2023 award tonight? Messi and Haaland rival England stars
The Ballon d’Or and Ballon d’Or Feminin awards take place tonight with the 30 best men and women stars vying for the top gong.
Lionel Messi is the heavy favourite to win a record-extending eighth men's title in France ahead of Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland.
Former Real Madrid captain Karim Benzema claimed the Ballon d’Or last season but his subsequent switch to Saudi Arabia has made him an unlikely pick among the current shortlist.
England trio Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka have all made the cut as has Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard.
There is no room for Cristiano Ronaldo but seven representatives of Manchester City's treble triumph are all included.
Podium favourite Haaland is joined by Kevin De Bruyne, Rodri, Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias, Julian Alvarez and now-Barcelona star Ilkay Gundogan.
Meanwhile, the women's award also looks to have a new winner with Alexia Putellas, who has won Ballon d’Or Feminin for the past two years, struggling with injuries.
Her Barcelona teammate Aitana Bonmati has been installed as the favourite, with England stars Mary Earps, Rachel Daly, Millie Bright and Georgia Stanway also in the running.
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