Sports

FULL LIST: Messi, Haaland And Bonmati Lead Ballon d’Or Nominees

Published

2 years ago

September 6, 2023

Editor

Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland are among the leading contenders to win this year’s men’s Ballon d’Or, while Spain World Cup star Aitana Bonmati leads the nominees announced on Wednesday for the women’s prize.

Messi, who recently left Paris Saint-Germain for Inter Miami, is in with a chance of succeeding Karim Benzema and winning the Ballon d’Or for the eighth time in his remarkable career after leading Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar last year.

Haaland may be his main rival for the prize after scoring 52 goals in 53 games to help Manchester City win the treble of Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup last season.

The Norway striker last week won the UEFA player of the year award for last season.

PSG’s Kylian Mbappe and Haaland’s City teammate Kevin De Bruyne also feature among the 30 nominees for the prize, the winner of which will be announced at a ceremony in Paris on October 30.

Benzema, who ended a 14-year spell at Real Madrid in June when he moved to Saudi club Al-Ittihad, is also nominated.

Bonmati, winner of the UEFA women’s player award, appears the favourite to claim the Ballon d’Or after being the outstanding player as Spain lifted the World Cup in Sydney last month.

She also starred as Barcelona won the Champions League and will hope to succeed her club and international colleague Alexia Putellas, winner in the last two years.

Putellas is not nominated this time having hardly played for Barcelona last season after suffering a ruptured anterior cruciate knee ligament in July 2022 which kept her out for nine months.

Bonmati is one of four members of Spain’s World Cup-winning team nominated, along with Olga Carmona, Salma Paralluelo and Alba Redondo.

Their compatriots Patricia Guijarro and Mapi Leon are also named.

Both of Barcelona, they did not go to the World Cup after being among a group of 15 players who said last year they no longer wanted to play for Spain in a protest against the Spanish federation and coach Jorge Vilda.

Others included in the 30 nominees are Chelsea and Australia striker Sam Kerr and England goalkeeper Mary Earps.

AFP

Sports

UCL: ‘If You’re The Best Show It’ – Ramos Slams Lamine Yamal

Published

9 hours ago

October 3, 2025

Editor

Goncalo Ramos of Paris Saint-Germain has slammed Barcelona stars, Lamine Yamal and Pedri over comments before their Champions League clash on Tuesday.

Before the game, the Barça players were in a bullish mood with Yamal posting a somewhat teasing message on his Instagram Story.

In the post, the young Spain international was seen sitting on a railing and wearing the Spain jersey, with the caption, “Pressure?”

The best young footballer in the world went on to post, “I’m back and the mission is back too.”

His teammate, Pedri also echoed the confidence during the news conference ahead of the game.

He said “It was a tough game and we want to avenge that defeat,” he talked about PSG’s win over Barça in the Champions League final last season.

However, they were made to eat their words as PSG beat in front of their fans.

Ramos, who was one of the scorers of the goals told reporters, “We’re the European champions, I can’t say more than that. If you’re the best, you have to show it on the pitch, not talk.”

Ramos’ teammate Vitinha, added, “We don’t give a damn. We don’t care, we just want to play the match, we won, and we’re happy about that.”

Sports

EPL: Paul Merson Predicts Chelsea vs Liverpool, Arsenal vs West Ham, Other Fixtures

Published

9 hours ago

October 3, 2025

Editor

Former Arsenal player, Paul Merson has predicted the Premier League games taking place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, respectively.

Bournemouth will tackle Fulham at the Vitality Stadium on Friday night, while Manchester United will face Sunderland on Saturday.

Chelsea will take on Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening, while Arsenal will take on West Ham United at Emirates Stadium.

Brentford will tackle Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City on Sunday, while Everton will take on Crystal Palace.

Stating his predictions, Merson said via Sportskeeda:

Bournemouth 2-1 Fulham
Leeds United 2-2 Tottenham
Arsenal 3-0 West Ham
Man United 2-0 Sunderland
Chelsea 1-1 Liverpool
Aston Villa 2-0 Burnley
Everton 1-1 Crystal Palace
Newcastle United 3-1 Nottingham Forest
Wolves 1-2 Brighton
Brentford 1-2 Manchester City