Manchester City’s Remarkable Year Could Reach New Heights with Seven Players Nominated for the 2023 Ballon d’Or

Manchester City has solidified its position at the pinnacle of world football with a staggering seven players receiving nominations for the 2023 Ballon d’Or award.

Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne, Rodri, Julian Alvarez, Ruben Dias, and Bernardo Silva, all recognized for their exceptional performances last season, find themselves on the prestigious list. Additionally, new signing Josko Gvardiol has earned a noteworthy inclusion. Winning the treble is a monumental achievement, and these nominations serve as fitting recognition for the players who played pivotal roles in Manchester City’s historic success.

Among these outstanding talents, Erling Haaland stands as a strong contender to claim the award in Paris at the end of October. Haaland delivered an astonishing 52 goals in 53 appearances across all competitions, leading Manchester City to victories in the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League. He swiftly became the talismanic figure for Pep Guardiola’s squad following his £52 million transfer from Borussia Dortmund last summer.

Notably, Haaland’s teammates had already recognized his Ballon d’Or potential. Ahead of City’s Champions League semi-final second leg against Real Madrid in May, Bernardo Silva predicted that if his team were to triumph in the tournament, Haaland would certainly be “in the discussion.”

Speaking to France Football, Silva stated, “If Haaland wins the Premier League and the Champions League, you can put him in the Ballon d’Or discussion, and you can also talk about Viní Jr. if Madrid wins the Champions League. In general, it is between Messi and the winner of the Champions League.”

City went on to defeat Real Madrid 4-0 shortly after Bernardo’s comments, ultimately securing the Champions League trophy in Istanbul. As Silva suggested, following Haaland’s remarkable achievements, he is indeed a strong contender for this year’s Ballon d’Or, and Haaland himself has hinted at his desire to one day claim this prestigious accolade.

“I think everybody cares,” Haaland expressed to GQ. “But I don’t think it’s a good thing to think about this. If you and your team are playing really well, you will perform well, you will begin to win trophies, [and] you will probably be on the list.”

Haaland’s dedication and team-oriented mindset have contributed to making Bernardo’s prediction a reality.