On April 18, Beijing time, in the Champions League, two more teams qualified for the semifinals. Among them, Bayern defeated Arsenal 1-0 and eliminated the opponent with an aggregate score of 3-2 to advance. Real Madrid beat Manchester City 4-3 on penalties to advance 8-7 over two legs. The Champions League semi-final matchup was announced, Bayern vs. Real Madrid, and Paris's opponent was Dort.
With the Champions League as the competition progresses, the competition for the Ballon d'Or has also reached a critical juncture. Judging from the situation of the Champions League this season and the influence of the players, the top 4 of the Champions League are out! The battle for the Ballon d'Or has changed: Haaland is out of the game ahead of schedule, and the three superstars challenge Messi.
In the selection of the Ballon d'Or, the Champions League winner has a driving role and can help players win awards. However, Haaland won the triple crown last season, and he did not win the Ballon d'Or because of his poor performance in important games, and he has no chance this year. With Manchester City missing out on the Champions League, Haaland will not be able to play at this summer's European Championships, and Haaland, who is also known as the soft-footed shrimp, has withdrawn from this year's Ballon d'Or.
After Real Madrid eliminated Manchester City, Real Madrid player Bellingham definitely has a chance to attack the Ballon d'Or. Bellingham has scored 20 goals and provided 10 assists for Real Madrid this season as Real Madrid progress to the last four of the Champions League, and Bellingham's England squad is also the favourite to win the European Championship, with Bellingham being one of the candidates for the Ballon d'Or.
Bellingham's international team-mate Harry Kane is also hopeful to be the Ballon d'Or this year, and although Bayern are out of contention for the Bundesliga title, Bayern are in contention for the more important Champions League. Kane has scored 39 goals and 10 assists for Bayern this season, leading the Bundesliga, the European Golden Boot and the second highest scorer in the Champions League. Kane is also England's striker and has what it takes to win the Ballon d'Or.
Paris is also in the Champions League semi-finals, and Mbappe is the strongest leg in Paris. 41 goals and 9 assists in 42 games, which is Mbappe's statistic for Paris this season. Mbappe is ranked No. 1 in Ligue 1 and the Champions League scorers, and Mbappe's France team is the first team to win the title in the European Championship, just like England.
Let's not forget that there is also the last Ballon d'Or Messi, although he has been away from the European arena, but this year there is the Copa America. In 2021, Messi led Barcelona to 3rd place in La Liga and became the 16th Lang of the Champions League, and there was also the European Championship that year, but the Ballon d'Or belonged to Messi, the winner of the Copa America. Messi continues to perform steadily at Inter Miami this year, Argentina is the favorite to win the Copa America, and Messi is expected to win his ninth Ballon d'Or.
In the eyes of fans and friends, who will be the winner of this year's Ballon d'Or? Let's discuss it in the comment section.