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The Ballon d'Or 2022 award ceremony will take place on October 17 as renowned French publication France Football announced the list of nominees for men's, women's, Kopa and Yashin Trophy. Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe has picked his favourites to win the award this year.
Argentina captain Lionel Messi, who won the Ballon d'Or in 2021 for a record seventh time, has failed to make it in the list of 30 shortlisted players for the 2022 award.
In his interview with L’Equipe, France forward Kylian Mbappe revealed his top three players to win the title this year as he named national teammate Karim Benzema to win the Ballon d'Or 2022 men's award.
He said, "My top three? I would say [Karim] Benzema, myself, and [Sadio] Mané. I would say that this year is a success for Benzema. He’s 34 years old, has just had the season of his life, has won another Champions League and is often decisive."
"If I were Karim, if I don’t win this, I’ll stop thinking about the Ballon d’Or forever. I want to win the Ballon d’Or very soon. Like many. Except that there are perhaps not many who dare to admit it. I’m still convinced that the hardest thing is to win the first", he continued.
"I think that my 18-21-year-old period allowed me to stabilise in the top 10. I wasn’t an impactful enough player. For the last two years, I think I have reached a new level, I have a more assertive status on the pitch, and I am doing better in the decisive matches. In short, I am a more credible and serious candidate", Mbappe added.