Welcome to the Thunder Football Newsletter. #15
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What today’s email is all about:

• 2023 Ballon d’Or Countdown 🏆

  • What, when and where 📆

  • The favourites to win the award 🇦🇷🇳🇴

• Club football updates ⚽️

• Memes 😂

2023 Ballon d’Or

There are various organisations and media outlets that annually crown someone as that year’s best player. But the biggest and most prestigious award is definitely the Ballon d’Or which is presented by the news magazine France Football.

The award is based on the results of the season starting on 1 August 2022 and ending on 31 July 2023.

The ceremony will take place next week Monday on 30 October at 
the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris.
(If you cannot attend the ceremony or watch it online don’t worry, just make sure you read this newsletter next week Tuesday and you’ll be all caught up 😉).

Here are the 30 nominees for the 2023 Ballon d’Or and Ballon d’Or Féminin which was announced on 6 September 2023:

The Favourites to win the Ballon d’Or

There are two clear favourites: Lionel Messi (again) and Erling Haaland

Lionel Messi 🇦🇷

He led Argentina to their first FIFA World Cup since 1986, whilst also claiming the Player of the Tournament award in the process. He has taken the MLS by storm and is well on his way to winning his 8th Ballon d’Or.

… unless a certain Viking gets his way …

Erling Haaland 🇳🇴

The other clear favourite to win the prestigious award is the 23-year-old forward from Manchester City. The Norwegian was lethal in 2022/23, scoring 52 goals in 53 games in all competitions.

Haaland has already added to his personal trophy collection after winning UEFA’s Player of the Year award (finishing above Messi).

Who else is there?

Who else will finish in the Top 10? Here are our predictions:

3. Kevin de Bruyne 🇧🇪

4. Kylian Mbappe 🇫🇷

5. Vinicius Jnr 🇧🇷

6. Rodri 🇪🇸

7. Ilkay Gundogan 🇩🇪

8. Jude Bellingham 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

9. Robert Lewandowski 🇵🇱

10. Bukayo Saka 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

Updates from the world of Club Football

English football legend, Wayne Rooney, was appointed as the new Birmingham City manager earlier this month but his side lost 1-0 in his first match over the weekend.

We have UEFA action again this week with Champions League matches tonight & tomorrow and Europa League on Thursday.

17-year-old Marc Guiu scores the winning goal for Barca, 1 minute into his debut with his first touch.

The London derby between Arsenal and Chelsea finished all square on Saturday.

georgelewiscom

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