Nicoló Barella, André Onana and Lautaro Martinez are among the candidates to win the 2022-23 Ballon d’Or, the award given to the world’s best player as deemed by France Football. In total, the publication announced a thirty-man list of nominees with six from Italy’s top flight. Cristiano Ronaldo is the last Serie A player to make the Ballon d’Or podium, the Portuguese absent for the first time since 2003.

Last season, Simone Inzaghi’s Inter surprised many by qualifying for the UEFA Champions League final, eliminating Milan in the semi-final and knocking out Barcelona in the group stage. After winning the Italian Super Cup and consecutive Coppa Italia’s, Barella and Martinez have been nominated for the second time.

Barella is the only Italian to make the list but one of three Inter players. The Azzurri international delivered a career-best season of 19 goal contributions (9 goals and 10 assists) in 58 matches.

Speaking at an Italy press conference, Barella opened up on his nomination. “I need to thank my teammates. We had a great season, even if we didn’t win the Champions League. I thank Simone Inzaghi and my teammates. I am proud to represent Italy.”

The Sardinian-born midfielder will be remembered for his iconic left-foot drive against Benfica in the knockout stages of the Champions League. Considered an elite box-to-box competitor, Barella joins Kevin De Bruyne and Jude Bellingham as one of nine midfielders listed. France Football also praised the 26-year-old as “the lung of Inter Milan, currently the best Italian midfielder” who offers precision and technical efficiency through his ability to allow the game to breathe.

Should Barella eclipse the field he would become the sixth Italian to win after Omar Sivori (1961), Gianni Rivera (1969), Paolo Rossi (1982), Roberto Baggio (1993), and Cannavaro (2006). Most recently, Italy’s highest finisher was Jorginho in 2021 with 3rd place behind Lionel Messi and Robert Lewandowski.

Fresh from his move to Manchester United, André Onana is one of three goalkeepers and four Africans in contention. Nominated for the first time, the Cameroonian is widely recognized as a modern ball-playing shot-stopper who directs traffic. Crucial for Inzaghi’s 3-5-2 formation throughout the Champions League, the 27-year-old acted as the central link between the back three whenever the Nerazzurri progressed out of the defensive half.

Conceding 41 goals in 45 matches, Onana impressed with 19 clean sheets to be nominated for the Yashin Trophy, a dedicated award for “best goalkeeper” named after Soviet Union’s Lev Yashin, with Milan’s Mike Maignan. Yashin is the only stopper to have won the Ballon d’Or (1963), with Dino Zoff (1973) and Gianluigi Buffon (2006) both finishing 2nd during their Juventus stints - the latter shortlisted 11 times throughout a career spanning 28 years.

FranceFootball.fr elaborated on Onana’s contribution for 2022-23, “Essential in Inter's breathtaking journey in the Champions League, decisive on several occasions, strong in his support.” The Beneamata lost the UEFA Champions League Final 1-0 against Manchester City, however, Onana was hailed by Inter fans for his miracle saves against Porto and impressive long-range passing credentials throughout the campaign. After leaving Ajax on a free transfer in the summer of 2022, Onana has made Manchester United his third club in three seasons after the Reds paid Inter €51M ($54.67M) in July.

Whether Lautaro Martinez finishes in the top ten or not, the Argentine’s career transcends to the next level following a FIFA World Cup title, a Champions League Runners Up medallion, two pieces of club silverware, and finally, the inheritance of the black and blue armband from Samir Handanović. El Toro would become the third Inter player to win the coveted award - the earliest claimed by Lothar Matthäus in 1990 - and the first since Ronaldo O Fenômeno in 1997.

France Football spoke of the Inter captain’s best moments in 2022-23. “Flamboyant during the Champions League semi-finals against AC Milan (2-0, 1-0, return scorer), he led Inter Milan to put them back in the top echelons.”

Incredibly, Martinez played 67 matches throughout the season, notching up 29 more goals (and 12 assists) to boost his total to 158 professionally which includes his stash from Racing Club and the Albiceleste. After playing a support act in Qatar behind compatriots Juliàn Àlvarez and seven-time winner Lionel Messi, Martinez will set his sights on this season’s 2023-24 title having scored five goals in three Serie A matches to date.

Aside from Messi, Erling Haaland’s standout season of 58 goals in 59 games with English Premier League side Manchester City could tilt the voting in the Norwegian’s favour. The Ballon d’Or, which translates from French into “golden boot”, is the most storied and prestigious prize in world football for individuals. The annual trophy is organized by the French monthly magazine France Football, and for the second time in the history of the award, it will be given based on the results of the whole season instead of the calendar year. The reigning holder is former Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema.

The winner of the 67th edition will be announced at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris on October 30th.