It might not seem that long ago since Karim Benzema was picking up the 2022 Ballon d’Or, but the race for the 2023 award has already picked up plenty of steam.
It promised to be a unique Ballon d’Or battle, with the World Cup taking place in the middle of the 2022-23 campaign, meaning it could be a distant memory by the time votes are cast.
There is no doubt, however, that playing a starring role in Qatar has boosted some players’ chances of competing for the Golden Ball ahead of the return of the Champions League in the coming days.
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
In 2022-23: 19 goals, seven assists. Won Community Shield.
Salah being so high in these rankings immediately after the World Cup was based on the fact that surely he and Liverpool couldn’t be as bad as they were post-Qatar 2022 as they were before it.
If anything, though, they have regressed even further, and though the Reds and the Egyptian King have one last shot at redeeming their season by going deep in the Champions League, even that seems unlikely now.
Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain)
Last time: 19th
In 2022-23: Five goals, five assists, 15 clean sheets. Won Trophee des Champions.
Hakimi has returned from his miracle World Cup run with Morocco and maintained the form he showed in Qatar with some outstanding performances for PSG.
Undoubtedly the most potent attacking full-back in world football right now, Hakimi will be key if the French champions are to get past Bayern Munich and keep their European dream alive.
Harry Kane (Tottenham)
Last time: 18th
In 2022-23: 22 goals, six assists.
Having broken Tottenham’s all-time goal record, it feels like Kane’s time in north London may be heading into its final few months, with trophies more likely to come his way if he opts to move clubs.
For now, though, the England captain will have his eye on scoring the goals to ensure Spurs see off AC Milan and reach the Champions League quarter-finals.
Julian Alvarez (Manchester City)
Last time: 8th
In 2022-23: 15 goals, three assists. Won World Cup.
Alvarez still has a chance to end the season as one of, if not the most decorated footballer on the planet in 2022-23, but he has not kicked on from his World Cup heroics as he might have hoped.
Pep Guardiola has experimented with playing the Argentine alongside Erling Haaland at Man City, but as of now it’s yet to bear much fruit.
Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea)
Last time: 14th
In 2022-23: Five goals, nine assists. Won World Cup.
The most expensive player in Premier League history, Fernandez has already shown glimpses of why he was voted Young Player of the Tournament at the World Cup during his two appearances in a Chelsea shirt.
Given the Blues’ form, though, there is an argument to be made that he might have been better off staying at Benfica if he wanted to have an impact on the latter stages of this season’s Champions League.
Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)
Last time: 7th
In 2022-23: Four goals, 18 assists.
De Bruyne’s assist numbers for the season remain other-worldly, but the man himself would likely agree that he has been short of his best form for a number of months now.
The good news for Man City fans, though, is that De Bruyne tends to step up in the final months of the season and take over matches on his own. If he does that again, then expect City to be celebrating winning plenty of trophies come June.
Martin Odegaard (Arsenal)
Last time: NEW ENTRY
In 2022-23: Eight goals, seven assists.
A 24-year-old former wonderkid might not profile as the kind of on-field leader Arsenal have been crying out for, but the decision to make Odegaard captain is one of many reasons why the Gunners have been resurrected under Mikel Arteta.
The Norway international has been unplayable in some games this season, and can rightly claim to be ahead of De Bruyne right now as the Premier League’s top creative midfielder.
Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund)
Last time: 13th
In 2022-23: 11 goals, eight assists.
Regardless of how he performs in the second half of the season, Bellingham is sure to be never far from the headlines given the battle that is about to break out to sign him this summer.
For the teenager’s part, he is not letting the speculation over his future affect his game as he prepares to lead Dortmund into battle against Chelsea in the Champions League.
Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
Last time: 11th
In 2022-23: 11 goals, 10 assists.
After another fine tournament at the World Cup, Saka seems to have found even more confidence in recent weeks, becoming Arsenal’s go-to man as they continue their push for the Premier League title.
The winger is blossoming into one of English football’s very best players, and the Gunners can count themselves fortunate to have him within their ranks.
Casemiro (Manchester United)
Last time: NEW ENTRY
In 2022-23: Five goals, seven assists. Won UEFA Super Cup.
A true revolutionary signing, Casemiro’s arrival has played a major role in transforming Manchester United from also-rans to a genuine contender at the top of the English, and potentially European, game once more.
The ex-Real Madrid man has solved the defensive midfield problem that has plagued United for the best part of half a decade, while also chipping in with key goals and assists.
Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich)
Last time: 12th
In 2022-23: 14 goals, 13 assists. Won DFL-Supercup.
The lone bright spark in Germany’s forgettable World Cup campaign, Musiala remains on track to be the Bundesliga’s Player of the Season after picking up where he left off for Bayern.
It’s remarkable to think that the ex-Chelsea academy star will not turn 20 until the end of February such is the impact he is having one of the juggernauts of European football.