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The Golden Ball: A New Era Begins in Football
This year marks a significant shift in football history, as neither Argentine superstar Lionel Messi nor his longtime rival Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo was nominated for the prestigious Golden Ball award, a departure from their dominance since 2008.
For over a decade, Messi and Ronaldo have captivated fans and dominated the awards scene, with Messi claiming the Golden Ball eight times and Ronaldo five. The only exceptions were the wins by Luka Modric in 2018 and Karim Benzema in 2022, as the honor was notably absent in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
At 37 and 39 years old, respectively, it seems improbable that Messi, now playing for Inter Miami in the United States, and Ronaldo, who plays for Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nasr Club, will reclaim the award as younger talents rise in the sport.
2023 Golden Ball Nominees
The list of candidates for this year’s Golden Ball includes an impressive lineup of 30 players, showcasing the next generation of football stars:
- Jude Bellingham – Real Madrid
- <a href="https://www.archyde.com/jude-bellingham-courted-everywhere/" title="Jude Bellingham courted everywhere!”>Erling Haaland – Manchester City
- Nico Williams – Athletic Bilbao
- Granit Xhaka – Bayer Leverkusen
- Artem Dovbyk – Roma (Girona)
- Toni Kroos – Retired (Real Madrid)
- Ruben Dias – Manchester City
- Phil Foden – Manchester City
- Emiliano Martinez – Aston Villa
- Federico Valverde – Real Madrid
- Dani Carvajal – Real Madrid
- Kylian Mbappe – Paris Saint-Germain/Real Madrid
- Alejandro Grimaldo – Bayer Leverkusen
- Lautaro Martinez – Inter Milan
- Ademola Lookman – Atalanta
- Anthony Rudiger – Real Madrid
- Lamine Jamal – Barcelona
- Bukayo Saka – Arsenal
- Hakan Calhanoglu – Inter Milan
- William Saliba – Arsenal
- Mats Hummels – Borussia Dortmund/Roma
- Florian Wirtz – Bayer Leverkusen
- Dani Olmo – Leipzig/Barcelona
- Rodri – Manchester City
- Declan Rice – Arsenal
- Harry Kane – Bayern Munich
- Vinicius Junior – Real Madrid
- Cole Palmer – Chelsea
- Vitinha – Paris Saint-Germain
- Martin Odegaard – Arsenal
Source: RT + “France Football”
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The Golden Ball: A New Era Begins in Football
This year marks a significant shift in football history, as neither Argentine superstar Lionel Messi nor his longtime rival Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo was nominated for the prestigious Golden Ball award, a departure from the previous decade where they dominated the awards podium.
This change signifies a new chapter in the sport, with emerging talents taking center stage. Players such as Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, and others are making their mark, showcasing the depth of talent in the current football landscape. Fans and analysts are eager to see how this new generation will shape the future of the game.
The absence of Messi and Ronaldo from the nominations has sparked discussions about the evolving nature of football and the increasing competitiveness of the leagues worldwide. As these young stars rise to prominence, the Golden Ball will reflect the changing dynamics of the sport.
As we look forward to the awards ceremony, the excitement surrounding potential new winners is palpable. Will this be the year that football embraces a fresh wave of talent? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the landscape of football is evolving.
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