Ballon d'Or 2023 Power Rankings: Messi and Mbappe locked together at the top ahead of World Cup semi-finals - World Cup Update 



Ballon d'Or 2023 Power Rankings: Messi and Mbappe locked together at the top ahead of World Cup semi-finals - World Cup Update 

The race to win the Golden Ball is well and truly on, with performances in Qatar likely to have a huge say on the outcome

Ready to do it all again? No sooner has one Ballon d'Or battle been won (congratulations, Karim Benzema!), than another is really heating up. Indeed, the game's best players are already staking early claims to win next year's vote.

It promises to be a unique Ballon d'Or, 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 in around 10 months' time.

There is no doubt, however, that playing a starring role in Qatar will boost a player's chances of competing for the Golden Ball, so, as World Cup Update again tracks the race with our Ballon d'Or Power Rankings, we have to keep the potential for a tournament-defining performance in mind.

Who, then, has put themselves in the frame with their performances in the first half of the season, and who has some catching up to do?

Join us as our 12-month Ballon d'Or Power Rankings journey continues...

(Previous update: November 28, 2022. Players removed: Fede Valverde, Pedri & Richarlison.)

  • 20Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)

    Last time: 20th

    In 2022-23: Six goals, one assist. Won UEFA Super Cup.

    If Benzema can return to full fitness and replicate the form he showed in the second half of last season, then he could still force himself into the Ballon d'Or running.

    But after being ruled out of the World Cup following an already injury-truncated start to the campaign, the chances of the 2022 winner defending his crown already look slim.

  • Rafael Leao Ballon d'Or Rankings GFXGetty/GOAL

    19Rafael Leao (AC Milan)

    Last time: 17th

    In 2022-23: Nine goals, 10 assists.

    Though he got on the scoresheet on a couple of occasions, the World Cup felt like a missed opportunity for Leao to announce himself to a worldwide audience.

    Of course, it's not the AC Milan star's fault that Fernando Santos could not find a space in his team for the reigning Serie A MVP, and we may well look back at the 2022 tournament and ask why exactly that was.

    • 18Phil Foden (Manchester City)

      Last time: 19th

      In 2022-23: Nine goals, five assists.

      Though he found himself on the periphery of games at times, it felt like Foden really cemented himself in the England team for the first time in his career during the World Cup.

      He backed-up a first tournament goal against Wales with two assists against Senegal in the last 16, and while debate will rage over his best position for the national team, there can be no doubts now over Foden's talent.

    • Harry Kane Ballon d'Or Rankings GFXGetty/GOAL

      17Harry Kane (Tottenham)

      Last time: 16th

      In 2022-23: 16 goals, six assists.

      Kane might be one goal away from becoming England's all-time leading goalscorer, but for some fans, all he will be remembered for is the penalty he didn't score against France that led to the Three Lions' quarter-final defeat.

      The Tottenham star is still on track to have a superb individual season, but that moment will haunt him for a decent amount of time going forward.

      • 16Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain)

        Last time: NEW ENTRY

        In 2022-23: Three goals, four assists, 15 clean sheets. Won Trophee des Champions.

        Likely to be the face of Morocco's historic team from the 2022 World Cup, Hakimi has been outstanding in Qatar, defending stoutly while providing attacking thrust from right-back when allowed.

        Given he is a star player in a team that will win one of Europe's 'Big Five' leagues and could yet go deep in the Champions League, and a Ballon d'Or nomination is almost secure already.

      • Cody Gakpo Ballon d'Or Rankings GFXGetty/GOAL

        15Cody Gakpo (PSV)

        Last time: 12th

        In 2022-23: 17 goals, 18 assists. Won Johan Cruyff Shield.

        After his scintillating start to the tournament, Gakpo went off the boil in the knockout stages as the Netherlands eventually bowed out in the quarter-finals.

        His season tally for goals and assists remains highly impressive, and how much he adds to them will likely depend on where he is playing his football come the end of the January transfer window.