The 2023 Ballon d’Or is set to be handed out on Monday night in Paris.
Last year, the illustrious award was given to Karim Benzema after the Frenchman enjoyed a stellar season with Spanish La Liga giants Real Madrid.
Since then, Benzema has left Madrid to join Saudi Professional League side Al Ittihad.
Heading into Monday night’s ceremony in Paris, France. The overriding feeling is that Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi will win his eighth Ballon d’Or.
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Messi is the heavy favourite after a brilliant year in which he inspired Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar.
Ahead of the event, some details about the Ballon d’Or including its worth and whether players receive prize money have been reported.
According to AS, the Ballon d’Or trophy is reportedly worth around €3000 and it weighs just over seven kilograms.
In terms of prize money, it is believed that there isn’t any prize money directly involved with winning the Ballon d’Or.
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However, many players will have clauses within their contracts which enable them to pocket a huge sum if they get their hands on the golden trophy.
Spanish news outlet El Confidencial claimed that Madrid star Luka Modric received €800,000 from his sponsor Nike when he won the Ballon d’Or in 2018.
Meanwhile, German magazine Der Spiegel reported that Cristiano Ronaldo negotiated a bonus worth €4 million for winning the award.
Last year’s winner Benzema had a Ballon d’Or bonus clause in his Madrid contract worth €2 million according to Spanish publication Defensa Central.
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Ahead of the ceremony, transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano wrote on social media: “Didier Drogba will give Lionel Messi his Ballon d’Or number 8.
“It will happen on Monday in Paris.”
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Featured Image Credit: GettyTopics: Ballon d'Or, Lionel Messi, Football