Are you prepared to start over? After one Ballon d'Or contest is over (congrats to Karim Benzema! ), another is quickly approaching. In fact, the top participants in the game have already staked early claims to the vote for the following year.
With the World Cup occurring in the middle of the 2022–23 season, it promises to be a special Ballon d'Or. As a result, by the time voting takes place in just under a year, it might be a distant memory.
The possibility for a tournament-defining performance must be kept in mind as GOAL prepares to track the race with our Ballon d'Or Power Rankings because playing a prominent role in Qatar will without a doubt increase a player's chances of vying for the Golden Ball.
Who, then, has established themselves as contenders through their early-season exploits, and who has to catch up?
Please join us as we begin our 12-month journey.
Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund)
In 2022-23: Five goals, three assists.
There are unspoken guidelines for winning the Ballon d'Or, one of which is that strong performances in the greatest contests in front of the largest audiences can make up for weak domestic results.
Bellingham, who has scored in each of Dortmund's first four Champions League games this season despite the fact that it is still just October, is undoubtedly the reason that she is included on this list.
The midfielder, who appears likely to start for England in Qatar, will be trying to have a similar influence on his debut World Cup as he is only the third teenager to go on such a run in the championship after Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland.
Fede Valverde (Real Madrid)
In 2022-23: Five goals, two assists.
Following the Uruguayan's game-winning performance in Sunday's Clasico, Toni Kroos referred to Valverde as one of the "best three in the world." While we aren't prepared to go quite that far, we do agree that Valverde is having a fantastic season thus far.
With his goal in the Clasico, he has now scored the game-winning goal against both Barcelona and Atletico Madrid this season. His dynamism and intensity, whether playing in midfield or on the right of the front three, are practically unparalleled in La Liga.
He has the opportunity to formally introduce himself as a legitimate Ballon d'Or contender if he continues to play at this calibre during the World Cup.
Cody Gakpo (PSV)
In 2022-23: 14 goals, 12 assists. Won Johan Cruyff Shield.
The Ballon d'Or voting panel couldn't ignore Christopher Nkunku last season because of his incredible statistics, despite the fact that he played for RB Leipzig, a team that very few people outside of Germany followed on a weekly basis.
Gakpo, a forward for PSV, may be on the verge of following in his footsteps in 2023 after having an outstanding start to the new season.
It wouldn't be surprising to see him on the list of nominees given that he will be leading the line for an effective Netherlands team at the World Cup and that he still has a chance to land a high-paying January transfer to one of Europe's top teams.
Rafael Leao (AC Milan)
In 2022-23: Four goals, nine assists.
Leao, who was crowned Serie A MVP last season, has continued to play well for Milan as they attempt to retain the Scudetto they won in May.
Leao, who is still rumoured to be moving to Chelsea, is already on course to surpass his goal and assist totals from 2021–2022; furthermore, he would only strengthen his case for another Ballon d'Or nomination by assisting the Rossoneri in reaching the Champions League knockout rounds.
He has a chance to start for Portugal at the World Cup as well, especially in light of the fact that other attackers have sustained injuries that may prevent them from competing.
Leroy Sane (Bayern Munich)
In 2022-23: 10 goals, six assists. Won DFB-Supercup.
Sane, who joined Bayern after leaving Manchester City, is now in his third season there and appears to be gelling at the Allianz Arena.
He hasn't always appeared at ease wearing a Bayern Munich jersey, and with Julian Nagelsmann's plenty of other offensive alternatives over the summer, some thought it would be best to let him go.
Sane, though, has excelled thus far in the campaign, and he and Hansi Flick will be hoping that the hamstring injury he sustained over the weekend does not prevent him from competing in the World Cup.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Napoli)
In 2022-23: Nine goals, nine assists.
Nine goals and nine assists in 2022–2023.
The man they call "Kvaradona" in Naples has been a revelation in both Serie A and the Champions League so far this season, and is without a doubt the breakout star of the European season thus far.
Kvaratskhelia's direct style of play, as well as his impeccable passing and shooting abilities, have enthralled spectators at every stadium he has played at in 2022–2023. He is a member of a Napoli attacking unit that has swept all comers aside with their spectacular brand of football.
Although he won't have a World Cup to continue showcasing his abilities to potential Ballon d'Or voters, there is no reason why he shouldn't be in the race if he can keep up his present form.
Sadio Mane (Bayern Munich)
In 2022-23: 10 goals, one assist. Won DFB-Supercup.
Although Mane hasn't exactly taken Bayern Munich by storm just yet, he has been able to contribute with goals on a regular basis since moving there from Liverpool.
A player of Mane's calibre playing for a team as powerful as Bayern is likely to hit a purple patch sooner rather than later, therefore his ranking on this list is as much predicated on what he still has the "power" to do over the course of the season.
Mane has a better chance than most of having a standout season when you take into account the fact that he'll probably be Senegal's top forward at the World Cup.
Gabriel Jesus (Arsenal)
In 2022-23: Five goals, five assists.
Voters for the Ballon d'Or will need at least one player to support when voting time comes around if Arsenal can maintain their present form and mount a serious fight for the Premier League title.
We chose Jesus over candidates like Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, William Saliba, and Martin Odegaard because of the game-changing effect he has had on Mikel Arteta's squad since joining from Manchester City in the summer.
But will he be able to participate in the World Cup? He can only hope that his outstanding start to the season will be enough to get him a spot in the elite Brazil squad, which will undoubtedly leave one or two top-tier forward players behind.
Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich)
In 2022-23: Seven goals, nine assists. Won DFB-Supercup.
Since roughly 18 months ago, Musiala has been mentioned as Thomas Muller's replacement for both club and country, and this season, we are beginning to understand why.
With his sharp passing and improved finishing, the 19-year-old has been at the centre of everything positive Bayern has accomplished in the first few months of the season, making him a legitimate goal threat whenever he picks up the ball in the final third.
He should start for Germany at the World Cup as a result of his performances, and further impressive performances in Qatar would only help his Ballon d'Or campaign.
Harry Kane (Tottenham)
In 2022-23: 11 goals, two assists.
Harry Kane (Tottenham) scored 11 goals and had two assists in 2022–23.
Erling Haaland's exploits have somewhat obscured the fact that Harry Kane has had a fantastic start to the season for Tottenham.
If it weren't for the new Norwegian sensation for Manchester City, he would be the heavy favourite to win the Golden Boot again with nine goals in ten Premier League games.
When the Three Lions gather in Qatar, the England captain will be among the favourites to keep the award he won at the 2018 World Cup.
Phil Foden (Manchester City)
In 2022-23: Seven goals, three assists.
Even though he is only 22 years old, Foden currently plays and feels like a seasoned veteran, and his personal goals and assists totals are constantly breaking records.
Erling Haaland and he appear to have developed a rapport early on at City, and their recent hat-tricks in the Manchester Derby served as a scary foreshadowing of just how potent they could be together in the coming seasons.
Foden and Gareth Southgate now face the challenge of converting their club success into regular match-winning performances while representing England, beginning in Qatar next month.
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
In 2022-23: 11 goals, four assists. Won Community Shield.
Salah's season hasn't exactly gotten off to a spectacular start, but the previous week has at least provided a sign that the Egyptian star may be returning to form.
Salah seems to have found a new lease on life after his record-breaking hat-trick against Rangers and match-winning performance against Manchester City. He may yet be unstoppable in the second half of the season.
However, because he won't be at the World Cup, his prospects of winning the Ballon d'Or are now improbable.
Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)
In 2022-23: Five goals, one assist.
The 2022 Ballon d'Or winner has not yet been able to completely continue the momentum of the previous season into 2022–23 due to injuries, but that does not mean he is not making an effect.
Benzema has scored four goals in only six Liga games this season, and with Madrid once again looking like they will contend for multiple championships, he has time to go back to his best. On Sunday, Benzema scored the first goal in Madrid's Clasico victory over Barcelona.
It would also help his chances of winning the Golden Ball for the second time in a row if he could give a struggling France squad the much-needed boost they need for their impending World Cup defence.
Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)
In 2022-23: Two goals, 12 assists.
For a few years now, De Bruyne has been on the verge of breaking the Premier League's single-season assist record, but Erling Haaland's presence in the penalty area might be the decisive factor this time.
De Bruyne continues to be a game-changer for Man City and the finest creative midfielder in sport, despite his inability to maintain the goal-scoring form he displayed in the second half of last season.
In Qatar, too, Belgium will need him to be just that as their "Golden Generation" makes one final bid for a significant international honour.
Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid)
In 2022-23: Seven goals, five assists.
Vinicius has shown to be one of the world's most dangerous attackers over the previous several months, disproving everyone who had any doubts about him or thought that last season could have been a passing phase.
As Benzema struggles with his health, Vinicius has stepped up to be the team's attacking spearhead with enthusiasm. His electrifying pace and significantly improved finishing skills make him a nightmare for opposition full-backs to defend.
This season for Vinicius might be even better than the last, which is really saying something considering he is almost a lock to start for Brazil now as well.
Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona)
In 2022-23: 14 goals, four assists.
Lewandowski, Barcelona's star summer acquisition, has already scored for the Blaugrana at a rate more than one goal per game, so he most definitely didn't leave his shooting boots in Munich.
It remains to be seen how much Barcelona's almost certain early exit from the Champions League will affect his prospects while his opponents are dominating the knockout stages, but if he can keep up this form for the entire season, he guarantees to be in the race for the Ballon d'Or once more.
Poland's World Cup performance will be one way to make up for it, however it should be noted that their past two big championships have ended with disastrous group-stage exits.
Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
In 2022-23: 21 goals, three assists.
'FOURTH?! ONLY IN FOURTH DO YOU HAVE HAALAND?
Give us a chance to explain. Haaland would undoubtedly win the 2023 Ballon d'Or if it were awarded tomorrow. Since joining City, he has been performing at a startling level, and if his unstoppable campaign keeps going, he may shatter a tonne of records.
The World Cup, which given its stature promises to be important in determining the Ballon d'Or winner, has not yet taken place.
Haaland will be watching Qatar 2022 from home due to Norway's failure to qualify, allowing the bulk of his competitors the opportunity to make their claim for individual honours if they can put up a genuinely exceptional tournament performance.
If none of them succeed, Haaland's road to winning the Ballon d'Or becomes much more obvious. He can just continue scoring and wait it out for the time being.
Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain)
In 2022-23: 13 goals, one assist.
The questions that are currently hanging over Mbappe, who is trapped in a soap opera of his own creation, are likely to dominate discussion of him throughout the season.
It will be interesting to watch how he performs in the coming months when all eyes are on him since it is a distraction neither he nor the teams he plays for need.
When France attempts to defend its World Cup title in Qatar, that scrutiny will begin. For France to have a successful World Cup, they will need far more from Mbappe than they did at the 2021 European Championship.
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Neymar (Paris Saint-Germain)
In 2022-23: 13 goals, 11 assists.
Neymar's days of contending for the Ballon d'Or may have seemed gone when he failed to make the shortlist for the 2022 award and turned 30.
They may be correct, but given where we are in the season and what is ahead, the most expensive player in football history could not have done more to make sure he is still in the running for the award in a year.
He seemed to be enjoying himself again while playing for PSG under Christophe Galtier, and he will travel to Qatar the following month as the offensive captain of the pre-tournament favourites, Brazil.
The rumours of Neymar's doom may have been greatly overblown, but it doesn't mean anything until he plays well at the World Cup and maintains his club form into the new year.
Lionel Messi (Paris Saint-Germain)
In 2022-23: 12 goals, eight assists.
Even while Messi's exclusion from the 30 candidates for the 2022 Ballon d'Or was not especially contentious, considering the seven-time winner's history with the prize, it nevertheless came as a surprise.
But given that Messi has fought his way back to being at his best to begin the new season at PSG, it already appears to be an anomaly.
But Messi's chances of winning the Ballon d'Or will probably depend on how well he performs in the World Cup. Since he has declared Qatar 2022 will be his final participation at the tournament, the current Argentina side is likely the finest he has ever played for in terms of talent and team spirit. As a result, there is a sense of inevitability around the Copa America champions winning the tournament.
If you do that, a trophy cabinet that is currently packed with seven Golden Balls may very well be receiving an eighth one.
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