The previous winners of the prize include Kylian Mbappe, Pedri, and Gavi, and the upcoming ceremony in Paris on October 30 will reveal this year’s recipient.
The Ballon d’Or ceremony now includes additional awards, such as the Kopa Trophy, which honors the best player under 21 in the previous season.
The 2022-23 season witnessed the emergence of talented young players who made significant contributions to the campaign.
The Kopa Trophy is a highly prestigious award won by talented young players like Kylian Mbappe, Pedri, and Gavi. It is considered one of the most significant honors a young player can receive, as it is voted on by previous Ballon d’Or winners.
We will have to wait until the ceremony in Paris on Monday, October 30 to find out who will walk away with the 2023 prize, but for now, here is the shortlist of nominees:
Elye Wahi (Lens)
A talented 20-year-old forward, had an impressive season with Montpellier, scoring 19 goals and providing five assists in Ligue 1. Despite interest from Chelsea and West Ham, he made the decision to remain in France and signed with Lens in a notable €35 million deal.
Rasmus Hojlund (Manchester United)
Denmark international Hojlund’s impressive season in Serie A with Atalanta, where he scored nine goals, caught the attention of Manchester United. The Premier League club subsequently signed him for a massive £72 million.
Antonio Silva (Benfica)
Silva, at only 19, is a promising defender who has already made a name for himself. He played for Benfica, scoring five goals in 44 appearances. Newcastle expressed interest but were informed that a hefty €100 million fee would be required for his transfer.
Alejandro Balde (Barcelona)
The Spain international left-back established himself as Barcelona’s first-choice last season, even surpassing club legend Jordi Alba. He has made 54 appearances for Barcelona and has also represented Spain five times.
Xavi Simons (RB Leipzig)
Xavi Simons, a promising young talent, has been signed by both Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain at a young age, showcasing his undeniable talent.
The promising football player had an impressive season with PSV, scoring 19 goals and assisting 12 in the Eredivisie. This performance led to him being signed by PSG and loaned to RB Leipzig, where he has made a strong start.
Pedri (Barcelona)
Pedri, at just 20 years old, has already made a remarkable impact for Barcelona, with 111 senior appearances and 18 caps for Spain. Last season, he played a crucial role in Barcelona’s success, contributing six goals and an assist on their way to winning the Spanish league title.
Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid)
Camavinga, at just 20, has already made 103 appearances for Real Madrid after joining from Rennes. He is poised to become a key player in the Madrid midfield, succeeding Modric and Kroos.
Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich)
Musiala, the young talent nurtured by Bayern Munich and Germany, has quickly established himself as a prominent player. With impressive stats of 16 goals and 13 assists last season, he is proving to be a complete package for the team.
Gavi (Barcelona)
Gavi, a product of Barcelona’s youth academy, has quickly become a prominent figure in the team’s midfield. He has even been entrusted with the prestigious No. 6 jersey, previously worn by Xavi, indicating the club’s belief in his potential to become a legendary player.
Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)
Real Madrid signed the English football player from Borussia Dortmund for a record-breaking fee. He performed exceptionally well for Dortmund, contributing to their Bundesliga title challenge. Since joining Real Madrid, he has made an impressive impact, scoring five goals in just four La Liga matches.
World of sports 
Leave a comment