Bukayo Saka, the young Arsenal talent, expressed his bewilderment at the Ballon d’Or rankings, particularly in light of finishing behind Manchester United’s goalkeeper, Andre Onana. The 2023 Ballon d’Or results left Saka in 24th place, with Onana just one spot ahead in 23rd, while Arsenal’s captain, Martin Odegaard, claimed the 28th position. In a rather unexpected twist, Aaron Ramsdale, the Arsenal goalkeeper, outperformed the trio by securing the 8th spot in the Yashin Trophy ranking, dedicated to the world’s best goalkeepers.
Both Saka and Odegaard received their debut nominations for the prestigious Ballon d’Or award, which has been a symbol of excellence in football since its inception in 1956. This recognition was a testament to their remarkable performances in driving Arsenal’s pursuit of the Premier League title in the 2022/23 season. Aaron Ramsdale, too, earned his first-ever shortlisting for the Yashin Trophy, highlighting his outstanding goalkeeping skills during the same campaign.
The Ballon d’Or selection process involves the aggregation of votes from journalists representing the top 100 countries in the FIFA rankings. It is worth noting that Lionel Messi, a football legend, once again secured the top spot in the Ballon d’Or rankings, marking the eighth time he has achieved this honor. His victory was further boosted by his inaugural World Cup win in the previous winter. Following Messi, Erling Haaland took the second position, while Kylian Mbappe settled for third place in the rankings.
In a separate accolade, former Arsenal goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez received the Yashin Trophy for his pivotal role in helping Argentina secure their third global championship. This achievement came through a thrilling penalty shootout victory against France in the World Cup final in Qatar. Ederson claimed the second spot, and Yassin Bounou came in third for the Yashin Trophy.
Turning to the women’s Ballon d’Or category, Amanda Ilestedt secured the 15th position, with Katie McCabe finishing in the 22nd spot. These rankings reflect their contributions to women’s football and their exceptional skills on the pitch.
