Ballon d’Or

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      Fifa’s The Best winner ‘leaked’ online ahead of announcement… but who will land gong between Mbappe, Messi and Co?

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      THE winner of Fifa’s prestigious The Best Men’s Player award has allegedly been leaked online. The likes of Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe go head-to-head tonight for the chance to lift the award after strong years on the pitch.
      The winner of Fifa’s The Best Men’s Player has allegedly been leaked onlineCredit: Reuters
      Both Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi are in the running to win the awardCredit: Getty
      But who is the apparent winner of this year’s award among the already announced nominees?
      According to journalist Francesc Aguilar, who works for Mundo Deportivo, the winner should come as a little surprise given the superstar’s success at the World Cup.
      Aguilar has claimed: “Lionel Messi is The Best. On Monday, FIFA will remind L’Equipe and France Football that they did not include Leo among the candidates for the Ballon d’Or.
      “To make matters worse, FIFA will hold The Best gala in…Paris!”
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      This information was also reported by journalist Fabrizio Romano on Sunday.
      Messi put in a stunning performance to help guide Argentina all the way to the World Cup trophy in Qatar, including scoring twice in the final and being awarded the Golden Ball.
      The 35-year-old was on fire for PSG in the second half of the year after struggling to find his scoring touch in the first, a fact which saw him omitted from the nominees for the Ballon d’Or, which was won by Champions League winning Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema.
      It means Messi will win the award for the second time since its inception, having previously picked up the gong in 2019.
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      It will also see Frenchman Mbappe denied his first win of the award.
      The 24-year-old had a truly remarkable year, becoming just the second player to ever score a World Cup final hat-trick, taking the golden boot in Qatar and scoring the most goals in Europe’s top five league in 2022 with 44.
      Benzema is another name set to be snubbed despite his Ballon d’Or win and Champions League victory with Real Madrid last season.
      The ceremony will begin at 8pm this evening.
      World Cup winner Messi is set to win the awardCredit: Getty
      Messi has had a strong Ligue 1 season at PSG More

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      Arsenal transfer target Mykhaylo Mudryk tipped to win Ballon d’Or by Brighton boss De Zerbi, who coached him at Shakhtar

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      ARSENAL target Mykhaylo Mudryk could win the Ballon d’Or in the future, his former manager has claimed.Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi coached Mudryk at Shakhtar Donetsk before the outbreak of war in Ukraine saw him leave the club.
      Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi believes Mykhaylo Mudryk could win the Ballon d’OrCredit: Getty
      De Zerbi coached Mudryk at Shakhtar Donetsk before the outbreak of war in UkraineCredit: Getty
      And ahead of facing the Gunners on Saturday, the Italian has made a bold prediction about his former player.
      De Zerbi said: “I think Mudryk can win the Ballon d’Or in the future.
      “[It is] a very important transfer and I know the value of Mudryk and he has the potential to win the Ballon d’Or.
      “Mudryk is a fantastic player but Brighton can’t buy him.
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      “All my ex-players I like but I am Brighton coach and Brighton can’t buy him.”
      Mudryk, 21, made 19 appearances under De Zerbi for the Ukrainian club, scoring twice and laying on nine assists.
      The Gunners have seen their opening bid of £35million, plus another £17.5m in add-ons, knocked back by Shakhtar.
      Shakhtar chiefs have admitted that talks are continuing over a deal for Arsenal’s No1 target.
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      However, Mikel Arteta may have to push the boat out with the asking price still firm at around £85m.
      Shakhtar sporting director Darijo Srna has even claimed that it could take the same £100m fee Manchester City paid for Jack Grealish to agree a deal, though the Gunners are hopeful of a much lower agreement. More

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      Fans divided as ‘Super Ballon d’Or’ rankings revealed with Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo GOAT debate finally settled

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      SUPPORTERS have been left torn after a fan created and revealed “Super Ballon d’Or” rankings for the last 32 years.The accolade has only ever been given out once in the history of the game.
      Lionel Messi has come top of a new list ranking the ‘Super Ballon d’Or’Credit: Getty
      The list will also settle the GOAT debate between Messi and Cristiano RonaldoCredit: AP
      Real Madrid legend Alfredo Di Stefano received it in 1989 to mark the 30th anniversary of France Football magazine.
      It was that outlet that announced the winner, which only players from Europe were eligible to win.
      Argentinian Di Stefano qualified through his Spanish citizenship and pipped Dutch icon Johan Cruyff and French star Michel Platini to the prize.
      A host of footy fans have been calling for the gong to return in order to celebrate the greats and achievements of players from the current era.
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      That has led to Reddit user @mkx696969x calculating how the list might look based purely on Ballon d’Or performances from 1990 onwards.
      And if his calculations are correct, then it surely puts the GOAT debate between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to bed for good.
      Messi, who finally got his hands on the World Cup this month, has won the Ballon d’Or a record seven times compared to Ronaldo’s five.
      And therefore it should come as no surprise to see the Argentina talisman top the list – with a host of surprise names making the top 30.
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      The rankings were decided on how players have placed in the Ballon d’Or votes over the past three decades.
      However, while the Messi and Ronaldo debate was the main topic, it was the placing of other icons that also got people talking.
      Brazilian legend Ronaldo came in behind the above two, leading to one person commenting: “R9 being 3rd shows just how much better he would have been than everyone else without the injuries.”
      Another wrote: “Mane has no business being on this list, Beckham next to Buffon what a joke.”
      A fellow fan commented: “Shevchenko was a monster one of the greatest 9’s ever seen. Ronaldinho top 10 despite everyone saying his prime lasted 2 years.”
      While another said: “From a quick glimpse, Suarez at #30 is probably the most controversial for me.”
      Here’s the list in full: More

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      ‘If Lionel Messi wins the Ballon d’Or, I’ll quit football’ – Cristiano Ronaldo’s shock statement on arch rival revealed

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO shockingly claimed he would “quit football” if rival Lionel Messi won the 2019 Ballon d’Or, it has been revealed.A biography of the Portuguese superstar, 37, was released on Wednesday.
      Ronaldo sensationally claimed he would quit football if Messi won the 2019 Ballon d’OrCredit: Getty
      Messi did end up winning his sixth Ballon d’Or in 2019Credit: AFP or licensors
      And when the author, Thierry Marchand, sat down with Ronaldo in 2019 to formulate ideas for the book, he was mainly concerned with the five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s childhood, his family and his friends.
      But Ronaldo ended up letting slip some words referencing Messi, slamming him for spending his entire career at Barcelona shortly after he had left Real Madrid for Juventus.
      The biography, reported by L’Equipe, sees Ronaldo say: “It’s easy to stay in your bubble when you’re successful.
      “I took a risk coming to Turin. I changed clubs, championships, football culture, I took a risk and it was that risk that, I’m sure, made me not win the Ballon d’Or in 2018.”
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      He then went on to add: “If Messi wins the Ballon d’Or this year, I’m leaving football.”
      Messi did win the Ballon d’Or in 2019, narrowly edging out Liverpool centre-back Virgil van Dijk.
      Ronaldo finished third as his Argentine rival claimed a sixth Ballon d’Or.
      Two years after Ronaldo’s criticism, Messi would then leave the Nou Camp in 2021 to join Paris Saint-Germain.
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      And a few months later, Messi would scoop a seventh Ballon d’Or following a superb final season with Barcelona and Copa America triumph with Argentina.
      Meanwhile, Ronaldo has not won the award since he was a Real Madrid player back in 2017.
      But he did not end up hanging up his boots as he claimed he would if Messi won the 2019 Ballon d’Or.
      Instead, he departed Juventus for a return to Manchester United last year.
      And he scored 24 goals in his first season back in England, compared with Messi’s 11 for PSG.
      However, roles have reversed in the current campaign, with Messi contributing 12 goals and 14 assists, compared with Ronaldo’s three goals and two assists.
      Last season, Messi was asked about criticism Ronaldo was receiving, but the South American refused to attack his old foe.
      He said: “Manchester United are a very strong team with great players.
      “Cristiano already knew the club, but that was in another stage and now he has adapted in an impressive way.
      “From the beginning, he has always scored goals and had no problems adapting.
      “In the Premier League, Manchester United are not as good as we all thought, but it is a very difficult and even competition in which things take a lot of turns.
      “After December it changes a lot and anything can happen.
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      “It’s been a long time since we stopped competing in the same league. We competed individually and as a team for the same goals.
      “It was a very beautiful period for us and also for the fans because they enjoyed it very much. It is a beautiful memory that will remain in the history of football.”
      Ronaldo won his fifth Ballon d’Or back in 2017Credit: AFP or licensors
      Ronaldo and Messi have been rivals for well over a decadeCredit: Getty More

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      Karim Benzema claims ex-Real Madrid team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo has not congratulated him on Ballon d’Or win

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      KARIM BENZEMA has revealed that he has not received a message from former Real Madrid team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo after winning his Ballon d’Or.The French forward was well deserving of the award after he led Madrid to the Champions League and LaLiga double last season.
      Karim Benzema won his first Ballon d’Or award in October.Credit: Getty
      Cristiano Ronaldo however has not sent his former team-mate a message congratulating him.Credit: Reuters
      He was on top form throughout the season as he scored 44 goals in 46 games in all competitions, including key strikes in their Champions League run.
      The striker even beat Premier League stars Sadio Mane and Kevin De Bruyne as well as PSG’s Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe to the coveted award.
      Benzema was congratulated worldwide for his achievement as his former manager Zinedine Zidane hailed him as the “best striker in French football history.”
      However, there was one notable omission as Ronaldo did not send him a message, despite playing together for nine years.
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      Benzema was asked if the Portuguese attacker had contacted him following the award, and he said: “No, not yet.”
      Ronaldo has won the award five times but was not in the running for it last year even though he was Manchester United’s top scorer last season.
      Benzema is now looking forward to the World Cup in Qatar and is hopeful of helping France lift the trophy, especially as the day after the final is his 35th birthday.
      He said: “Winning the World Cup would be one of my best ever birthday presents.
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      “Each match will be a cup final. We’ve got a great group of players, we’re going to take it one game at a time.
      “I’ve had a few little fitness issues but nothing serious. There’s still plenty of time until the 22nd. I’ll be fine, I’ll be physically and mentally ready.”
      Ronaldo however is all over the news following the reveal of his explosive interview with TalkTV in which he speaks about his time at Manchester United.
      In this he admitted he “has no respect” for his manager Erik ten Hag, criticised the club’s owners and slammed his former team-mate Wayne Rooney. More

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      Karim Benzema’s Ballon d’Or win costs Real Madrid £870k as 13-year transfer clause is triggered

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      REAL MADRID have to pay Lyon £870,000 following Karim Benzema’s Ballon d’Or triumph, according to reports.The striker, 34, joined the Spanish giants way back in 2009 for a then French-record transfer fee of £30million.
      Benzema claimed the award at Monday night’s ceremonyCredit: Getty
      The deal had add-ons within it which could enable the price to increase to as much as £35.2m.
      And one of those was a clause which would see Lyon receive one million euros if he claimed the Ballon d’Or.
      Well over a decade on, L’Equipe understand that clause has now been triggered after the Madrid man claimed the award ahead of Sadio Mane and Kevin de Bruyne.
      Benzema has scored 329 goals in 616 appearances since joining Los Blancos.
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      And he was instrumental in helping the club lift the LaLiga and Champions League trophies last season, netting a remarkable 44 times in 46 games.
      Following Benzema’s Ballon d’Or win, Lyon’s president Jean-Michel Aulas hailed it as a special moment.
      He said: “It’s a great source of pride and emotion, because Karim is a kid from OL.
      “He is a child that we have seen grow up and that we have seen blossom.
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      “We have seen him succeed in almost everything he has undertaken.
      “And for us, who not only hired him, but also signed his first contracts with us, we are proud.
      “It’s a source of pride with a message, that of exemplarity, because having a youngster like Karim who only plays for two clubs in his entire career.”
      Before moving to Madrid 13 years ago, Benzema scored 66 times in 148 matches for Lyon, winning four successive league titles.
      And the Ligue 1 side’s supporters have not forgotten what he achieved with the club as they celebrated in the streets following his Ballon d’Or win. More

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      Ballon d’Or full voting list leaked with Cristiano Ronaldo not getting single one despite bizarrely coming 20th

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO did not receiving a SINGLE VOTE in this year’s Ballon d’Or despite placing 20th, it has been revealed.The Manchester United superstar, 37, scored 24 goals in 38 games for the Red Devils last season.
      Ronaldo finished 20th in the Ballon d’Or, his lowest finish in 17 yearsCredit: Reuters
      The leaked voting
      But he still failed to avoid finishing in his lowest Ballon d’Or position since 2005 – when he wasn’t nominated.
      And it has now been leaked on social media that Ronaldo did not claim ANY votes.
      A total of 19 players received one vote or more, leaving the five-time winner in 20th place.
      The likes of Harry Kane and Trent Alexander-Arnold were among the other nominees to draw blanks.

      However, for some reason Ronaldo was ranked above all of his fellow unloved players.
      Ronaldo’s former Real Madrid team-mate Karim Benzema scooped the award for the first time in his career after dominating the voting.
      He received 549 votes, over 300 more than second place Sadio Mane’s 193.
      It is the biggest winning margin since Ronaldo beat Lionel Messi to the gong by 429 votes in 2016.
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      Manchester City star Kevin de Bruyne propped up the podium places, 18 behind former Liverpool man Mane.
      The rest of the top 10 places were filled by Robert Lewandowski, Mo Salah, Kylian Mbappe, Thibaut Courtois, Vinicius Jr, Luka Modric and Erling Haaland.
      And a host of other players also beat Ronaldo to votes.
      They were Son Heung-min, Riyad Mahrez, Sebastien Haller, Fabinho, Rafael Leao, Virgil van Dijk, Casemiro, Luis Diaz and Dusan Vlahovic.
      It comes as the United striker’s future at Old Trafford appears more doomed than ever.
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      He stormed off in a strop before the end of their win over Tottenham after refusing to come on as a substitute.
      And he has since been dropped from the trip to Chelsea on Saturday evening, while manager Erik ten Hag has also forced him to train on his own. More

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      Benzema wears £435k Richard Mille watch at Ballon d’Or ceremony while Lewandowski rocks £52 Casio

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      KARIM BENZEMA rocked up to the glitzy Ballon d’Or ceremony wearing a watch worth a whopping £435,000.Meanwhile his humble rival Robert Lewandowski had a cheap £52 Casio number strapped to his wrist.
      Karim Benzema wore a watch worth a reported £435,000 to the Ballon d’Or ceremonyCredit: Splash
      Robert Lewandowski’s watch is worth just £52Credit: Instagram @fcbarcelona
      Lewandowski arrived at the awards alongside stunning wife AnnaCredit: The Mega Agency
      Benzema was joined by American model and former Hooters employee Jordan OzunaCredit: EPA
      Spanish outlet Marca say Benzema’s bling was worth nearly half a million pounds.
      The 34-year-old looked stylish as he jetted to France for the awards ceremony on Monday evening, arriving separately to girlfriend Jordan Ozuna.
      Real Madrid ace Benzema won the Ballon d’Or, which gave him a chance to show off his fancy Richard Mille watch on stage.
      It capped a remarkable journey for Benzema, after he was exiled from the national team and faced trial for his alleged part in blackmailing Mathieu Valbuena over a sex tape.
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      And the RM 65-01 Richard Millie piece he wore is branded as “the most complex timepiece ever to leave the Richard Mille workshops”, and for that reason it doesn’t come cheap.
      But with Benzema earning a mind-boggling £275k-a-week, according to Salary Sport, it would take him less than TWO WEEKS to save up for the watch.
      The French striker has a net worth of £62.5m, according to Celebrity Net Worth, so made sure his bling caught the eye at the elegant event.
      Benzema’s Barcelona and Ballon d’Or rival decided to keep things simple.
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      Lewandowski arrived with wife Anna wearing a Casio watch worth just £52.
      Despite taking a pay cut to join Barcelona, the 34-year-old dessert lover still earns a reported £150k-a-week.
      He is also claimed to have a net worth of £75m, which is more than Benzema, so could easily afford to buy a similarly fancy watch.
      The pair faced off each other on the pitch last weekend, before doing so again just a day later for the Ballon d’Or award.
      And it was Benzema who came on top both times.
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      Real Madrid beat Barca 3-1 in El Clasico on Sunday, before Lewandowski could only finish fourth in the rankings for the prestigious gong.
      Although he was scoop the Muller Trophy, awarded to the player who scored the most goals in the calendar year.
      Benzema was crowned 2022 Ballon d’Or winnerCredit: AFP
      Lewandowski scooped the prestigious Muller TrophyCredit: AP More