So the Ballon D'or 2023 ceremony is over and we now know that Messi without much surprise won it. However, I think its pretty interesting to check on the position of the nominated players. Any thought about Messi winning his eight Ballon d'or? Do you disagree with a player position? Surprised not to see certain player ranked at all? I would be very curious to get you guys opinions.

Surprised by who won, no. While I don't think he had the best year compared to a few others, I get why he won it, especially with the World Cup carrying so much weight.

Personally, I would have voted for Haaland. I would have also expected Vini to be a few places higher, like 4 or 5.

This next version will be interesting with Haaland, Vini, Bellingham, Musiala, Mbappe. Some players will again have a slight advantage depending on their national team's performances in Euros. Take Bellingham for example. He is KILLING it at Real Madrid and if he stays hot, Real wins the league, wins CL, and England does well in Euros, it would be hard to deny this youngster.

Haaland will have a handicap with his national team, sadly, however, if he wins the treble again, and scores all those goals again, I think he will take the award.

FIFA is so hard to predict though, so you never know. haha

I agree that Haaland should have won, but loving Messi so much it's hard to feel bad about it when he won the WC.

I definitely agree that once the Messi/CR7 era is completely over we will get back to some sense of normal.

It is a popularity contest and never fails to dissapoint me.

Messi and Ronaldo has too many times gotten the award because of who they are.
And defensive players are underrated. The goalkeepers basically neglected.

They also keep changing the goalpost when it comes to what achievements that are required to win it.

Ribery
Sneijder
Lewandowski
Van Dijk
Are players that deserved to win it but they always found narratives to not give those players the award.

Giving it many times to the same player will also devalue it as it becomes boring and not interesting to follow.

The main reason is the WC.

Haaland was the best player this year, Messi doesn't deserve the Ballon d'Or

I love Messi and he deserves it, that is why he is there.