dailyO's full list of predicted winners at the 2023 Ballon d'Or ceremony

It's finally the day for the 2023 Ballon d'Or awards ceremony, featuring top footballers as nominees to follow Karim Benzema, the 2022 winner, in claiming the prestigious Golden Ball in Paris.

What

• The Ballon d'Or is a prestigious annual award given by France Football magazine.
• Established in 1956, it remains a highly regarded individual honor in sports. Stanley Matthews of England was the inaugural recipient of this elite accolade.

• This year's Ballon d'Or is considered special because it falls during the 2022-23 season, with the World Cup in the middle.
• Success in the World Cup helped some players, but performing well in domestic and European competitions at the end of the season was also crucial.

The top fight for Ballon d’Or 2023

Predicted winner: Lionel Messi

• Much like the same story as any other calendar year, Argentinian football superstar Lionel Messi, who has won this award seven times in his career, is the frontrunner for this year’s Ballon d’Or. 

• Messi's World Cup triumph and becoming the player of the tournament in the same, has turned him into a reasonable choice for the Golden Ball. Meanwhile, club performance is something that does weaken the case for the Argentinian. 

• Just where Messi lacks, the 23-year-old Norwegian striker Erling Haaland comes in. The striker has had a phenomenal season scoring 52 goals in 53 games, acting as the pivotal force in Manchester City’s treble win last season. 

Yashin Trophy

• The Yashin Trophy, given by France Football, honours the best goalkeeper of a calendar season.
• It's named after Lev Yashin, a legendary Soviet Union goalkeeper.

Predicted Winner: Emilano Martinez

• Emiliano Martinez, the World Cup champion and top goalkeeper for Aston Villa, is our pick for the 2023 Yashin Trophy nominations due to his phenomenal performance at the World Cup 2023, which also earned him the Golden Glove of the tournament.

•  Martinez earned hero status in his homeland by thwarting Kingsley Coman's penalty in a shootout, helping Argentina clinch the World Cup against France.

Kopa Trophy

• The Kopa Trophy is a soccer accolade given to the top player globally under 21, presented alongside the Ballon d'Or. 
• It's presented by France Football and is named in honour of Raymond Kopa, the 1958 Ballon d'Or victor.

Predicted winner : Jude Bellingham

• Jude Bellingham, aged 20, is the top contender for the prestigious Raymond Kopa Prize, named after the renowned Real Madrid player and Ballon d’Or winner. 

• He rose to fame at Borussia Dortmund and while playing for England, earning an £88.5 million transfer to Real Madrid this summer. 
• Bellingham has made a stunning start at Real Madrid, scoring five goals in his first four games, including a thrilling home debut at the Bernabeu. His remarkable performances have solidified his status as a rising football star.

Ballon d’Or feminin

• The Ballon d'Or Féminin, also recognized as the Women's Ballon d'Or, is a prestigious football accolade bestowed by France Football. 
• This award acknowledges the player who's judged to have delivered the best performance in the preceding season.

Predicted winner : Aitana Bonmati

• Aitana Bonmati is the top contender for the Ballon d'Or Feminin, having guided Spain to victory in the Women's World Cup and leading Barcelona to success in the Women's Champions League. 

• Bonmati was named the tournament's best player in both the World Cup and Champions League. 
• Notably, Sam Kerr, the renowned Chelsea and Australia star, is also a strong candidate for a high placement in the award rankings. 

The Ballon d'Or 2023 Ceremony in India will be broadcast live on Sony Sports TEN 2 channels. It's scheduled for Monday, October 30, starting at 11 PM IST.