The finalists for the FIFA Best Men’s Player award for 2023 have been officially announced. Similar to this year’s Ballon d’Or, the competition has once again come down to Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, and Erling Haaland. Out of the 12 players on the shortlist, these three emerge as the final contenders for the individual glory at hand.
The winner of this prestigious accolade will be unveiled on January 15, 2024, in London. Now, let’s delve deeper into the statistics and achievements that have propelled these three iconic soccer names to this position.
Team performance and trophies won by Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe
Firstly, it is important to note that the eligibility period for this year’s FIFA The Best is from 19 December 2022 to 20 August 2023. Lionel Messi entered this period fresh off his triumph in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. After returning to his club duties with Paris Saint-Germain, La Pulga led his team to victory in the Ligue 1. Then came the summer transfer window and the Argentine left PSG to sign with MLS side Inter Miami. Here too, he immediately secured the Leagues Cup, which was also the first piece of silverware in the club’s history.
On the other hand, Erling Haaland had an incredible run with Manchester City during the 2022/23 season. The Norwegian striker played a pivotal role in the team’s triumph to clinch its first-ever treble, with winning the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, and FA Cup. As the ‘cherry on the cake’ moment, the Cityzens also brought home the UEFA Super Cup by defeating Europa winners, Sevilla.
And finally, Kylian Mbappe did not shy away from showcasing his goal-scoring prowess both at the international and club level. Following his second-place finish in the FIFA World Cup, the 24-year-old returned to PSG and went on to play a crucial role in securing the Ligue 1 title alongside Lionel Messi.
Individual stats of all three players
When it comes to individual statistics, during the eligibility period, Lionel Messi recorded an impressive tally of 24 goals in 32 appearances for both clubs (PSG/Inter Miami) and Argentina. The 36-year-old also secured a place in the Ligue 1 team of the season and was honored as the top scorer and the best player in the Leagues Cup. In addition, he won the 2022 edition of FIFA The Best during this period.
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Erling Haaland, being the goal-scoring machine he is, netted an impressive 28 goals in 33 appearances. His exceptional goal-scoring led him to win the European Golden Boot and the Premier League Golden Boot. He also won the Premier League Player of the Season and Young Player of the Season.
Meanwhile, French sensation Kylian Mbappe displayed his exceptional skills by scoring 17 goals in just 20 league games. He was also recognized as the Ligue 1 player of the season and clinched the Ligue 1 Golden Boot. While these statistics and achievements provide a glimpse into the players’ contributions, the ultimate decision rests with the voters and the FIFA panel.
Who do you think should win the award? Let us know in the comments.
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