The Ballon d'Or is one of the most prestigious individual awards in world football.
Awarded to the player deemed to have had the best season as voted by his peers, it was dominated in the late 2000s and 2010s by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
In earlier times, the likes of Johan Cruyff, Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldinho have all won this prestigious honour.
The Sporting News looks at which players are enjoying seasons that could put them in the drivers seat for the 2023 award.
MORE: Who won 2022 World Cup Golden Ball?
Who will win Ballon d'Or 2023?
Lionel Messi: PSG/Argentina
After a disappointing first season at PSG, many thought Messi's chances to win a last Ballon d'Or had fallen to the wayside given his age.
But the 35-year-old is turning back the clock and has had an electric start to the club season in Paris with 12 goals and 14 assists in 19 club games.
Messi then went and won the 2022 World Cup with Argentina, claiming his second Golden Ball in the process with a sensational tournament that saw him score seven times.
Having lifted one of few trophies that eluded him, Messi has now arguably taken the lead in the Ballon d'Or race for 2023.
🐐 The GOAT debate is settled. The ultimate prize is now part of the collection. The legacy is complete.
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 18, 2022
On the day @Argentina won their third #FIFAWorldCup, Leo Messi is your @Budweiser Player of the Match. 🐐
🇦🇷 #ARGFRA 🇫🇷 #POTM #YoursToTake #BringHomeTheBud @budfootball pic.twitter.com/4wAQD2pSyt
Erling Haaland: Manchester City/Norway
Haaland has obliterated any notion that he would find life tougher in the Premier League, scoring a staggering 23 goals in 18 games for Manchester City in all competitions.
He can score all types of goals and his sheer presence in the box helps create space and goals for his teammates.
He is well on track to breaking the Premier League goal scoring record, though his chances of winning the Ballon d'Or could be hampered by injury and the fact he didn't play at the 2022 World Cup with Norway failing to qualify.
😱 @ErlingHaaland is scoring at a rate never seen before in the #PL!
— Premier League (@premierleague) October 24, 2022
Here’s how he stacks up against previous @Castrol Golden Boot winners… pic.twitter.com/pawDMTRmrQ
Robert Lewandowski: Barcelona/Poland
The Polish striker caused a stir when he departed Bayern Munich in less than quiet circumstances to join a Barcelona revolution. And whilst his side's form has been slightly underwhelming, Lewandowski has done his part, scoring 18 goals in 19 games and becoming Barcelona's main attacking threat.
He finally scored a World Cup goal in Qatar too as Poland did solidly by reaching the Round of 16.
Kylian Mbappe: PSG/France
Anyone doubting that Mbappe isn't a future legend of the game has been silenced over the past few months.
The 23-year-old claimed the 2022 World Cup Golden Boot after netting eight times for France which included a hat-trick in the final which pushed Argentina all the way to penalties.
Mbappe went to Qatar in strong form for PSG too with 19 goals in all competitions already for the 2022/23 season.
If he can keep scoring, he'll give teammate Messi a real run for the Ballon d'Or.
Mbappe made this amazing strike look so easy! 🚀😮💨#LetitFly with @qatarairways pic.twitter.com/2lfkQ9QugI
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 4, 2022
Neymar: PSG/Brazil
Neymar is enjoying a renaissance after a couple of injury interrupted season's in the French capital.
The Brazilian has 15 goals and 12 assists in 20 games as PSG once again romp to glory domestically and look a threat in the Champions League. His partnership with Messi and Mbappe is a frightening prospect for any defence.
Unfortunately, the 2022 World Cup didn't go to plan for Neymar or Brazil. He missed two games due to injury before the Selecao were knocked out in the quarterfinals by Croatia.
He'll need to bounce back strongly with PSG to keep pace in the Ballon d'Or race.
