Kylian Mbappe set to miss Ballon d'Or 2023 podium

Messi has already been confirmed champion of the 2023-24 Ballon d'Or

Being on the podium for the Ballon d'Or is not a given for Kylian Mbappe! This year, Rodri or De Bruyne are anticipated to finish third on the podium, following Haaland and Lionel Messi.

The 2023 Ballon d'Or podium is already known to a large number of onlookers. Lionel Messi's World Cup crown is now certain because of Argentina's crowning, but Erling Haaland—who led Manchester City to a phenomenal season—and Kylian Mbappé—who unavoidably raised spirits during the World Cup in Qatar—are anticipated to stand with the Argentinean on the podium.

It's nearly a given that the Norwegian will be there. The PSG striker's is by no means guaranteed. There are several players that might be chosen, especially from the Citizens, where Rodri and Kevin de Bruyne have shown promise.

The most recent Ballon d'Or votes emphasise caution above anything else. Due to the Blues' victory as world champions in Russia, the Frenchman finished fourth in 2018 and has experienced a string of setbacks since then.

Although some see him as Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo's successor, the former Monaco player has never finished higher than fourth and has never been seen on the Ballon d'Or podium.

Even worse, in the previous four years, he has never signed a Top 5. He was forced to settle for sixth position in 2019 and 2022, and he even dropped back to number nine in 2021. The first and primary source of blame is PSG's Champions League setbacks.

Zinedine Zidane won the 1998 title after scoring twice against Brazil in the final, while Ronaldo won the 2002 title after scoring against Germany. Fabio Cannavaro led the German defence against France in 2006 despite not scoring.

Now it's Messi's turn to take that award, which he is used to winning.