The Champions League final in Istanbul marked the end of the 2022/2023 European football season. It was a gruelling season for all those involved with a packed schedule that saw all leagues take a break for the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

A Rodri curler from inside the area was the difference in a cagey encounter at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium. It was a strike of significant proportions as Manchester City completed a historic treble.

There is, therefore, no denying that the World Cup and the Champions League will play a crucial role in determining who will win the most lucrative individual award in football - Ballon d'Or.

It is set to be a two-horse race for the 2023 award. Sports Brief takes a look at how the vote would possibly go later this year in October.

6. Ilkay Gundogan

Or should we call him Mr. Clutch? Gundogan's late bloom to win the Premier League and the FA Cup for his side in his first season as captain has seen his odds rise immensely.

He is definitely bettered by De Bruyne and Haaland in his own team, but his 13 goals and seven goals, especially towards the end of the season, cannot go unmentioned. He joins only a few captains to have captained their sides to winning a treble.

5. Vinicius Junior

Well, good thing the Ballon d'Or award doesn't often take into account only the kind of trophies you've won but your individual performances as well. The Brazilian finished the season with the Copa Del Rey, Club World Club and UEFA Super Cup.

However, he is the only player in Europe's top 5 leagues to have scored at least 20 goals(had 24) and provided at least 20 assists(had 25) in all competitions, bar Messi.

4. Kylian Mbappe

If Messi is going to dominate this debate because of the World Cup, then his soon-to-be former teammate at Paris Saint-Germain, Kylian Mbappe, deserves a shout as well - and with good reason.

Mbappe was unlucky not to win the December 18 final at the Qatar World Cup despite a historic performance that saw him grab a hat-trick. He missed out on the trophy but won the Golden Boot.

He has also scored 53 goals and provided 14 assists this season in all competitions, on top of winning the Ligue 1.

3. Kevin De Bruyne

The Belgian heartbreakingly limped off in the Champions League final - the second such final he has been forced off with injury.

He has, however, been as instrumental as Haaland in defining City's season, despite being off-colour in a couple of games this season. The 31-year-old remains the most elite playmaker in Europe, having provided 32 assists in all competitions.

And luckily for him, his team did not drop the ball against Inter Milan when it mattered.

2. Lionel Messi

Captaining your country and starring at the World Cup at 35 years to finally win the trophy that has eluded you in your illustrious career saw Messi complete the romantic story of football.

After the Qatar triumph, it looked like he was a stroll for his record 8th title, only for Haaland's heroics in that Manchester City super team to put this on hold.

Apart from the World Cup, the Argentine has also scored 38 times and provided 25 assists.

1. Erling Haaland

Between the Champions League and the World Cup, the latter understandably carries more weight. But the Manchester City striker has closed the gap on the serial winner Lionel Messi in recent months after the Qatar event.

The 22-year-old might have been silent in the Champions League final, but his 53 goals in all competitions helped City complete the historic treble, with the crowning moment coming in Turkey on June 10.

Also, the last time a player from the Premier League won the Ballon d'Or was Cristiano Ronaldo in 2008. Ronaldo won the Champions League that year with Manchester United - a phenom Haaland has now replicated with Manchester City.

Could he land his first Ballon d'Or at just 22 years of age? We think so.

Other likely 2023 Ballon d'Or candidates

Victor Osimhen's and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia's roles in Napoli's title-winning season will surely hand them a place in the final top 10 places.

Lautaro Martinez did not play a big role in Argentina's World Cup triumph but delivered in Inter's run to the Istanbul final and winning a domestic double. His international teammate Julian Alvarez, having won the treble plus the World Cup, will also feature among the top-ranked players.

Robert Lewandowski suffered an unfamiliar early exit from the Champions League but still won another Golden Boot award, this time in a different league.

Reigning holder Karim Benzema failed to inspire another European success for Real Madrid, but his 31 goals before joining Al-Ittihad will put him in good standing in higher places.

The list of the nominees will be announced on September 6, with the winners being announced at a gala in Paris on October 30.