In focus on the 12 contenders for the 2023 FIFA Men’s Player of the Year
The shortlist for The Best FIFA Men’s Player 2023 has been revealed. The 12 contenders have been nominated based on their achievements from 19 December 2022 to 20 August 2023, with each of the nominees recognised for their sustained excellence over that period.
Here, FIFA shine the spotlight on the players in contention for the honour.
Julian Alvarez
Alvarez was one of Manchester City’s shining lights as they won a Premier League, FA Cup and UEFA Champions League treble in 2022/23. The dynamic Argentina forward regularly contributed vital goals for Pep Guardiola’s team as well as leading from the front with his relentless work-ethic.
Did you know?
Alvarez is the first player in history to win the FIFA World Cup and a European treble in the same season.
Marcelo Brozovic
Brozovic was a figure of consistency and class during Inter Milan’s run to the Champions League final. The midfielder also won the Coppa Italia with Inter in 2022/23 and helped Croatia to a runners-up finish in the UEFA Nations League. Brozovic joined Saudi Pro League team Al Nassr in July 2023.
Did you know?
While Croatia were edged by Spain in a penalty shootout in the Nations League final, Brozovic’s virtuoso display was recognised with the Player of the Match award.
Kevin De Bruyne
De Bruyne cemented his status as one of the finest players of his generation with an exceptional campaign for all-conquering Manchester City. The attacking midfielder’s phenomenal passing range, vision and intelligence were highlighted by the fact he recorded an incredible 31 assists in 49 City appearances in 2022/23.
Did you know?
De Bruyne has been named in the PFA Premier League Team of the Season in each of the past four campaigns.
Ilkay Gundogan
Another key member of the Manchester City team that swept all before them, Gundogan proved again he is a player for the big occasion. The German star scored both his side’s goals in their 2-1 FA Cup final win over city rivals Manchester United and played in all 13 of their Champions League matches. The midfielder moved to Barcelona in June 2023.
Did you know?
Gundogan was voted as City’s new captain by his team-mates ahead of their historic Treble-winning season. He led the team in their Champions League and FA Cup final wins.
Erling Haaland
Norwegian goal machine Haaland was nigh-on unstoppable in his maiden season with Manchester City, striking fear into opposition defences with his potent mix of pace, power, elusive movement and devastating finishing. He ended the campaign with an astonishing 52 goals in 53 appearances.
Did you know?
Haaland scored six Premier League hat-tricks in 2022/23 – the same number as every other player in the division combined.
Rodri
Rodri’s elite technical ability and football intelligence helped Manchester City dominate matches even against world-class opposition. The midfielder concluded an outstanding 2022/23 club campaign by scoring the winning goal in City’s Champions League final win over Inter Milan. Eight days after that match, he played in Spain’s Nations League final victory against Croatia.
Did you know?
Rodri’s excellent Nations League performances were recognised with the Player of the Tournament award.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
Wing wizard Kvaratskhelia took Serie A by storm in his debut season at Napoli, with the Georgian’s electric performances seeing him dubbed ‘Kvaradona’. Kvaratskhelia scored 14 times and laid on 17 assists as his club became Italian champions for the first time since 1990 – back when the Argentinian icon he was nicknamed after was at the heart of Napoli’s golden era.
Did you know?
Kvaratskhelia won Serie A’s Most Valuable Player award and the Champions League’s Young Player of the Season prize in 2022/23.
Kylian Mbappe
Mbappe has continued to perform to sky-high levels for club and country. The explosive attacker spearheaded Paris Saint-Germain’s charge to the French title, finishing as the division’s leading marksman with 29 goals and winning Ligue 1’s Player of the Season award. He was also named as Hugo Lloris’ successor as France national team captain.
Did you know?
Still just 24-years-old, Mbappe became PSG’s all-time leading scorer when he netted his 201st goal for the club in a 4-2 win over Nantes in March 2023.
Lionel Messi
The winner of the 2022 FIFA Best Men’s Player award is now routinely thrilling fans in the United States after making the move to MLS team Inter Miami from PSG. Aged 36, Messi retains the ability to take the breath away with his dazzling footwork, ingenuity and immaculate ball-striking. In his final season with PSG, he supplied 16 Ligue 1 assists – the most in the division – and scored 16 top-flight goals.
Did you know?
Messi scored his 100th Argentina goal in a 7-0 victory against Curacao in March 2023. He is only the third player to register a century of strikes in men’s international football, along with Iran’s Ali Daei and Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo.
Victor Osimhen
Osimhen was in scintillating form throughout Napoli’s triumphant Serie A campaign. A complete centre-forward, the Nigerian’s eye-catching variety of goals underlines his extraordinary talent. His 26 league strikes in 2022/23 included towering headers, impudent finishes and predatory close-range efforts.
Did you know?
By topping Serie A’s goalscoring standings in 2022/23, Osimhen became the first African to win the league’s Golden Boot award.
Declan Rice
Rice captained West Ham United to the club’s first major trophy in more than 40 years in 2022/23. The England ace’s inspiring leadership and powerhouse midfield displays were key to the Hammers’ UEFA Europa Conference League success. West Ham’s dramatic 2-1 final win over Fiorentina proved to be Rice’s last game for the club, with the 24-year-old subsequently joining Arsenal.
Did you know?
Rice’s was named the UEFA Europa Conference League Player of the Season for 2022/23.
Bernardo Silva
One of the most effective playmakers on the planet, Silva was an ever-present during Manchester City’s triumphant Champions League run. His skill, creativity and courage are supplemented by an ability to produce decisive final-third interventions, which he memorably showcased by scoring City’s opening two goals in their 4-0 Champions League semi-final win over Real Madrid.
Did you know?
Across his six years with Manchester City, Silva has racked up a combined total of more than 100 goals and assists.