Ballon d'Or Odds: Who Will Win The Award In 2023?
With the European club season approaching the latter stages of the 2022/23 campaign, betting sites are seeing plenty of interest in their 2023 Ballon d’Or odds.
The long-running prize, which has been in existence since 1956, was previously awarded to the footballer with the highest level of performance over the preceding calendar year.
However, organisers have recently switched their focus to the previous season.
That means this year’s prize will go to the player judged to have been better than the rest of his peers throughout the 2022/23 campaign.
Once we have reached the end of June, there is nothing more the contenders can do to strengthen their case.
Let’s take a look at the latest Ballon d'Or betting odds, before considering who might win the honour this year.
Ballon d'Or Odds 2023
Messi Odds-On Favourite To Scoop Prize Again
Lionel Messi has already won the Ballon d’Or more than any other player in the history of the game.
The Argentina international triumphed in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019 and 2021, and he is the odds-on favourite at 8/15 with football betting sites to add another award to his substantial collection later this year.
As things stand, Messi is expected to come out on top because he inspired his country to glory at the World Cup in Qatar, the most significant event of the 2022/23 season.
Messi was named Player of the Tournament after scoring seven goals and providing three assists for Argentina, who were crowned world champions for the first time since 1986.
Haaland’s Goals Put Him In Frame For The Award
Erling Haaland has had an extraordinary first season at Manchester City.
The Norway international shattered a whole host of goalscoring records in the Premier League after firing Pep Guardiola’s side to their fifth title in the last six years.
Haaland's odds in the Ballon d'Or betting stand at 11/8 and City are the bookies’ favourites to triumph in the Champions League final on June 10.
While that is no guarantee of anything, they are looking very strong as things stand. Were Haaland to inspire City to European glory, he could seriously challenge Messi for the Ballon d’Or.
Vinicius Junior's Ballon d'Or Chances
Brazilian winger Vinicius Junior has been making waves in the footballing world and his current Ballon d’Or betting odds of 16/1 suggest he is a dark horse contender.
His journey with Real Madrid has been marked by significant growth and consistent improvement this season. The 22-year-old has showcased his mesmerising dribbling skills, explosive speed and goal-scoring prowess. His contributions in both domestic and international competitions have caught the attention of fans and critics alike.
However, despite his undeniable talent, several factors could affect Vinicius Junior's chances of claiming the Ballon d'Or. The competition for the award is always fierce, with newly established stars such as Haaland and previous winners like Messi vying for the top spot.
While Vinicius Junior's betting odds indicate that some new bookmakers recognise his potential at third favourite, winning the 2023 Ballon d'Or remains an unlikely feat.
Benzema An Outsider To Retain Ballon d’Or
Karim Benzema was deservedly chosen as the 2022 Ballon d’Or winner after a superb season for Real Madrid, but he will find it tough to follow in the footsteps of Johan Cruyff, Kevin Keegan, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Michel Platini, Marco van Basten, Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi, all of whom claimed the prize in back-to-back years.
The Frenchman scored 44 goals in all competitions and helped Los Blancos win a La Liga-Champions League double, so it is no surprise that he finished comfortably clear of Sadio Mane, Kevin De Bruyne and Robert Lewandowski last year.
Benzema has been hampered by injuries this season and missed the World Cup as a result. He came into form towards the end of this season, but his Ballon d'Or hopes likely ended when Madrid were dumped out of the Champions League last four.
Mbappe Ballon d'Or Hopes Fade
Kylian Mbappe was unfortunate to end up on the losing side in the World Cup final.
The French superstar scored a stunning hat-trick against Argentina, then converted his penalty in the shoot-out, but it was not quite enough for Didier Deschamps’ side to avoid defeat.
So close, but yet so far, and France's failure ultimately leaves him well out of the running in the Ballon d'or.
PSG then bowed out of the Champions League rather tamely, leaving Mbappe's odds way off the mark at 80/1.
De Bruyne And Neymar Among Those Not Expected To Win
Kevin De Bruyne will probably be a key player in the closing matches of the season as Man City chase a treble, but it will be difficult for the Belgium international to outshine Haaland.
De Bruyne came third last year but is a rank outsider at 33/1 with betting apps this time around.
Meanwhile, Brazil’s quarter-final exit at the World Cup in Qatar could ultimately count against Neymar (175/1), who looks increasingly likely to finish up his career without ever claiming a Ballon d'Or.
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