5. Bukayo Saka
The 22-year-old English footballer is considered one of the most promising talents in the world of football today.
Despite his young age, Saka has already displayed remarkable skill and class on the field. He played a vital role in Arsenal’s strong campaign last season, coming very close to securing the title. Saka’s impressive statistics include 15 goals and 11 assists.
Additionally, he earned recognition by winning the 2022/23 PFA Young Player of the Year award, further solidifying his status as one of the standout nominees on the list.
4. Rodri
Rodri solidified his place on this prestigious list with a memorable goal against Inter Milan in the Champions League final last season. Since joining Manchester City in 2019, the Spanish midfielder has been an indispensable component of the team’s accomplishments on both domestic and international fronts.
In the previous season, Rodri made approximately 36 appearances, contributing with two goals and six assists.
His significance to Manchester City’s triumphs was underscored by his involvement in creating around 2,977 passes. What’s truly astounding is that Rodri completed more passes and touches than any other player in the league, a remarkable statistic that further elevates his ranking on this list.
3. Mohamed Salah
Liverpool’s fifth-place finish in the previous season didn’t diminish the significance of Mohamed Salah within the squad.
His exceptional contributions and undeniable talent have earned him a well-deserved place in the 30-man Ballon d’Or nominee list. At 31 years old, Salah made a notable impact by scoring 19 goals and providing 12 assists for Liverpool. These impressive statistics secure him the third position on our list of top nominees.
2. Kevin De Bruyne
Manchester City’s dominance is reflected in the list, and it extends to the top two spots as well. Kevin De Bruyne, the captain of the Belgium national team, claims the runner-up position on this list due to his substantial contributions to Manchester City’s success.
De Bruyne’s impact was evident as he notched seven goals and provided an impressive 16 assists in the club’s title-winning campaign last season. As a senior and experienced player within the squad, De Bruyne not only excelled individually but also played a crucial role in guiding the younger members of the team towards success.
1. Erling Haaland
Erling Haaland takes the crown as the undisputed winner on this list. The Norwegian football sensation stands at the pinnacle of football excellence.
In the Premier League, Haaland featured in 35 matches for Manchester City, displaying his remarkable scoring prowess by netting an astounding 36 goals and contributing with eight assists.
His overall performance for Manchester City was nothing short of phenomenal, as he managed to score an incredible total of 52 goals in just 53 games. Haaland’s extraordinary talent places him as a strong contender for this season’s Ballon d’Or, although Lionel Messi may have something to say about that.
Ballon d’Or: 12 Premier League players nominated power ranking
