Who will win the 2023 Ballon d'Or? These are the favorite male and female players

Messi, Haaland, Mbappe and Aitana Bonmati are among the most talked-about names for the award

The Theatre du Chatelet in Paris will put on its finery to welcome the biggest stars in world football for the eagerly awaited Ballon d'Or 2023 ceremony. This event, which marks the 67th edition of the award organized by France Football magazine.

This year, individual performances and decisive impact on matches are expected to be the main criteria for determining the winners. It is important to remember that this award honors the best player of the season (summer to summer), not of the calendar year (January to December). The choice of the winner is made by 100 journalists, representing each country and selected on the basis of the FIFA ranking.

Criteria one focuses on the player's individual performance, whereas criteria two will be the player's team success.

Whilst less prominent in the voting, there is a third criteria and that focuses on the player's attitude and sense of fair play.

France Football magazine published last month the list of the 30 players shortlisted for the Ballon d'Or. Among this group of chosen players, two stand out above the rest: Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland. The Argentinian and the Norwegian are the main favorites to win the most prestigious individual trophy in world football.

Lionel Messi is the overwhelming favorite to win his eighth Ballon d'Or on the strength of his performances at the World Cup. In the 2017 (Cristiano); 2018 (Modric); and 2022 (Benzema) editions, the UEFA Best Player Award coincided with the Ballon d'Or.

Argentina's triumph in Qatar is the main reason for Messi having a chance at the award.

The now Inter Miami player managed to score seven goals and provided three assists, playing a