By Milcah Tanimu
Welcome to our live coverage of the Ballon d’Or 2023 awards ceremony, where Lionel Messi and Aitana Bonmati are the frontrunners for the top honors. TNT Sports will be broadcasting the 2023 Ballon d’Or ceremony starting at 18:00 UK time, so stay tuned for the free live stream and updates on all the significant moments as prominent figures from the world of sports come together.
**Joe Cole’s Take on Messi’s Ballon d’Or Chances**
Former footballer Joe Cole believes that Lionel Messi’s World Cup triumph makes him the standout candidate to win the Ballon d’Or. Cole’s sentiment is shared by Joleon Lescott, who thinks Erling Haaland should take home the award. Cole said, “What Messi did at the World Cup and it looks like FIFA, because of the change of the dates, are putting that in this section. I just think that was just outstanding, almost spiritual.”
**Manchester City’s Dominance Reflected at Ballon d’Or**
Manchester City’s historic treble campaign in the UEFA Champions League, Premier League, and FA Cup has been mirrored with six players nominated for the men’s Ballon d’Or. This includes stars like Josko Gvardiol, Kevin de Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, Erling Haaland, Ruben Dias, and Julian Alvarez.
**British Players Who Have Won the Ballon d’Or**
A brief look at the history of the Ballon d’Or reveals that British players have had their moments of glory. Stanley Matthews, Denis Law, Bobby Charlton, Kevin Keegan, Michael Owen, and the last British winner so far, Michael Owen, have all claimed the coveted award.
**Pep Guardiola’s Perspective**
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, who has coached both Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland, playfully suggested that Messi should have his Ballon d’Or, while also acknowledging Haaland as a worthy contender. Haaland’s impressive performance last season with 52 goals across all competitions adds another layer of intrigue to this year’s award.
**Cristiano Ronaldo’s Night Out at Boxing**
Although Cristiano Ronaldo is not in the running for a sixth Ballon d’Or, he enjoyed an evening at heavyweight boxing in Riyadh. Ronaldo, who currently represents Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, has been prolific on the field, scoring 25 goals in 26 games for his team.
**Bookmakers’ Odds**
Lionel Messi is the strong favorite to win the Ballon d’Or for a record eighth time, given his World Cup victory in December. The odds are heavily in his favor. Messi has previously won the award in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, and 2021.
**Nominees for Ballon d’Or Awards**
The article provides a comprehensive list of nominees for both the men’s and women’s Ballon d’Or awards, as well as the Kopa Trophy and Yachine Trophy nominees.
**How to Watch Ballon d’Or 2023**
The article includes details on how to watch the 2023 Ballon d’Or, including live streaming on TNT Sports and discovery+.
**Key Timings**
The red carpet arrivals for the Ballon d’Or will begin at 18:00 UK time, with the main ceremony commencing at 19:45 and scheduled to end at 21:30. The article also highlights other categories and awards to be presented during the ceremony.
