FIFA The Best 2023 Top 10: Messi edges Haaland and Mbappe in thrilling finish

The year 2023 was unusual for football, as the 2022 World Cup was held at the end of the year, which had a clear impact on the awards. With FIFA The Best also taking place late in the year, many questioned whether voting would be heavily influenced by performances at the 2022 World Cup. In this article, livescorecz.net names the best player of 2023 and reviews the FIFA The Best 2023 Top 10.

Who led the FIFA The Best 2023 Top 10?

Lionel Messi was named the top winner at FIFA The Best 2023. However, the Argentine star also faced criticism for a relatively modest club season and was accused by some of being “favored” due to his World Cup success with Argentina. In 2023, Messi played for Paris Saint-Germain, won Ligue 1, finished as the league’s top assist provider, and was included in the Team of the Year. In the summer, he moved to the United States to join Inter Miami, bringing his European career to an end.

Despite the controversy, the final results were extremely close. Messi finished level on points with Erling Haaland, with both receiving 48 points, but Messi won due to a higher number of votes from national team captains. This marked the eighth time Messi had been named FIFA Player of the Year, following his wins in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, and 2022. Messi did not attend the ceremony and therefore did not deliver a speech.

FIFA The Best 2023 Top 10 list

Second on the list was Erling Haaland of Manchester City, who enjoyed a record-breaking year. In the Premier League, he surpassed Mohamed Salah’s single-season scoring record by netting 36 goals. His Champions League campaign was equally impressive, with 12 goals in 11 matches, playing a key role in Manchester City’s first-ever Champions League triumph and historic treble.

Third place went to Kylian Mbappé, who was Messi’s teammate at Paris Saint-Germain for part of the year. The 2023 season was significant for Mbappé, as he became PSG’s all-time leading goalscorer, won Ligue 1, and was named the league’s best player for the fourth consecutive time. At international level, Didier Deschamps appointed him France captain in March 2023 following Hugo Lloris’ retirement, making Mbappé the youngest captain in the history of the French national team.

Ranked fourth was Kevin De Bruyne, who also played a vital role in Manchester City’s treble-winning campaign. As the team’s main playmaker, he controlled matches with his vision and passing. Alongside Haaland, De Bruyne led the assist charts, recording 23 assists across the Premier League and Champions League. However, his year was disrupted by injuries, including a setback in the Champions League final and a recurrence early in the new season that required surgery and ruled him out for several months.

Victor Osimhen placed fifth after a historic 2022/23 season with Napoli, leading the club to their first Serie A title in 33 years. Osimhen scored 26 league goals, surpassing George Weah to become the highest-scoring African player in Serie A history and also finishing as the league’s top scorer. However, the lack of major international success limited his chances of ranking higher.

The rest of the Top 10 was dominated by Manchester City players. Rodri, who scored the winning goal in the 2022/23 Champions League final, ranked sixth. Julián Álvarez, Haaland’s treble-winning teammate and Messi’s World Cup partner, finished seventh. Bernardo Silva, known for his relentless work rate, placed eighth, while club captain İlkay Gündoğan ranked ninth. Completing the Top 10 was Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Osimhen’s attacking partner at Napoli, who played a major role in their Serie A title-winning season.

FIFA The Best 2023 Top 10

1. Lionel Messi - Argentina (48 points)

2. Erling Haaland - Norway (48 points)

3. Kylian Mbappé - France (35 points)

4. Kevin De Bruyne - Belgium (32 points)

5. Victor Osimhen - Nigeria (24 points)

6. Rodri - Spain (24 points)

7. Julián Álvarez - Argentina (21 points)

8. Bernardo Silva - Portugal (18 points)

9. İlkay Gündoğan - Germany (13 points)

10. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia - Georgia (12 points)

In other major awards, Ederson was named Goalkeeper of the Year, Pep Guardiola won Coach of the Year, and Aitana Bonmatí was honored as Women’s Player of the Year after leading Barcelona and Spain to the 2023 Women’s World Cup title with a 1-0 win over England in the final.

FIFA The Best 2023 winners list

1. Men’s individual awards

Men’s Best Player: Lionel Messi (Argentina / PSG & Inter Miami)

Men’s Best Goalkeeper: Ederson (Brazil / Manchester City)

Men’s Best Coach: Pep Guardiola (Spain / Manchester City)

2. Women’s individual awards

Women’s Best Player: Aitana Bonmatí (Spain / FC Barcelona)

Women’s Best Goalkeeper: Mary Earps (England / Manchester United)

Women’s Best Coach: Sarina Wiegman (Netherlands / England national team)

3. Other voted and honorary awards

Puskás Award (Best Goal): Guilherme Madruga (Botafogo-SP) – overhead kick from outside the penalty area.

FIFA Fair Play Award: Brazil men’s national team (honored for their stance against racism).

FIFA Fan Award: Hugo Daniel “Toto” Iniguez (supporter of Colón de Santa Fe).

FIFA Special Award: Marta (honored for her outstanding career and contribution to women’s football).

In summary, LiveScore CZ has reviewed the FIFA The Best 2023 Top 10 and the main award winners. For more football odds, read our other articles here.