How Ballon d’Or voting works ahead of Messi vs. Haaland battle for 2023 crown

The Ballon d'Or is arguably the most impressive individual award in football, reserved for the creme de la creme of the sport; a privilege that only a few footballers have been able to experience in their careers.

Lionel Messi is the record holder, having garnered seven titles, two more than his arch-rival, Cristiano Ronaldo. Having won the World Cup with Argentina last year, one gets the feeling that another title might be on its way for the Argentine.

One common question is how the whole process works. Who chooses the nominees and the eventual winner? There have been some controversial Ballon d'Or calls in history where fans were divided on the voting process.

Ahead of the expected 2023 battle between Messi and the treble-winning Erling Haaland, Sports Brief takes a look at the awards system up until its culmination in a colourful gala in Paris.

Change in Ballon d'Or rules

The Ballon d'Or rules were altered in 2021, with a significant change being effected after Messi won his seventh title. The award would no longer consider the achievements inside a calendar year but would adopt a season-to-season format.

Subsequently, editors from L'equipe, France's most decorated magazine, came up with a 30-man shortlist.

As 90Min reports, this year's shortlist will be unveiled on September 6 before the final ceremony on October 30. From 2022, the editors were joined by other specialists including the legendary Didier Drogba.

Apart from Messi and Haaland, the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Vinicius Junior, and Kylian Mbappe are expected to feature among the nominees for this year's Ballon d'Or award.