FIFA has recently announced the shortlist for the FIFA Best men’s player award for 2023, and it comes as no surprise that Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, and Erling Haaland have made the cut. Interestingly, this shortlist mirrors the top three finalists for the Ballon d’Or prize, which Messi emerged as the winner in October. While Messi’s exceptional performances in the 2022 World Cup surely played a role in his Ballon d’Or win, it’s worth noting that he had already secured his seventh career FIFA award in February for his title-winning displays in Qatar.
In addition to the men’s award, FIFA has also revealed the shortlist for the Women’s Best player category. This list features two players from the 2023 World Cup-winning Spanish team, Aitana Bonmatí and Jenni Hermoso, along with Linda Caicedo of Colombia. Bonmatí, who won the women’s Ballon d’Or in October, had a remarkable season, claiming a UEFA award in August as the best player in Europe. She was instrumental in helping Barcelona secure victories in the Women’s Champions League and the Spanish league.
Bonmatí, known not only for her footballing prowess but also for her integrity, used her acceptance speech in August to stand up for her teammate Hermoso. Hermoso had experienced an unwanted kiss on the lips from Spanish Football Federation president Luis Rubiales during the World Cup trophy ceremony in Sydney. Fortunately, Rubiales resigned three weeks after the incident, and this also brought about the removal of women’s team coach Jorge Vilda from his position. Surprisingly, Vilda was even left off the FIFA ballot for the coaching award in women’s soccer, raising questions about the fairness and transparency of the voting process.
Turning our attention back to the men’s award, it’s worth noting the outstanding performances of the three finalists. Haaland had a standout season, contributing significantly to Manchester City’s triumphant campaign, where they clinched a title treble of the Champions League, English Premier League, and FA Cup. On the other hand, Messi and Mbappé secured the Ligue 1 title under Paris Saint-Germain but faced disappointment as the team was eliminated from the Champions League in the Round of 16. Subsequently, Messi made his move to Inter Miami CF, where he quickly helped lead the team to victory in the Leagues Cup.
All eyes are now set on the FIFA ceremony, scheduled to take place on January 15th in London. The voting process for the awards was conducted by national team captains and coaches, selected journalists, and fans through an online poll, which concluded in October. As football enthusiasts eagerly await the outcome, debates and discussions surrounding the credibility of the voting system and the deserving winner will continue to captivate the football world.
The FIFA Best men’s player award for 2023 is set to be a thrilling contest between Messi, Mbappé, and Haaland. While Messi has already achieved remarkable success and secured multiple FIFA awards, Mbappé and Haaland’s performances during the season cannot be overlooked. As the football community anticipates the grand FIFA ceremony in January, the fate of the coveted award hangs in the balance.