Haaland, Mbappe, Messi among 2023 FIFA Best Men’s Player Award Nominees; Ronaldo misses cut

The highly anticipated shortlist for the 2023 FIFA Best Men's Player award has been unveiled, featuring a star-studded lineup that includes Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe, and Declan Rice. Notably absent from the list is Cristiano Ronaldo.

Lionel Messi, a seven-time Ballon d’Or winner and the reigning FIFA Best Men's Player, returns to defend his title. He earned this honor after contributing significantly to Argentina's World Cup victory in Qatar in 2022.

Erling Haaland, the Manchester City superstar, is fresh off winning the UEFA Player of the Year award. He now finds himself competing with Messi for another prestigious accolade.

The list of 12 contenders was revealed by The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), the international governing body of association football. This announcement follows Haaland's impressive season with Manchester City, where he amassed numerous goals and helped secure the Champions League title.

Notably, this year's FIFA awards for women's football also sparked discussion. Spain's Women's World Cup-winning coach, Jorge Vilda, was conspicuously omitted from the Best Women’s Coach Award nominees, even after guiding Spain to its first Women's World Cup title.

In the women's player category, Aitana Bonmati, the recipient of the Women's World Cup Player of the Tournament title, was nominated along with her teammate Jenni Hermoso, among others.

As the FIFA Best Men's Player award race heats up, Messi, Haaland, and others will vie for the coveted title. This announcement adds to the excitement of the football world as fans eagerly await the winner's revelation.

Nominees for FIFA Best Men's Player 2023:

• Julian Alvarez (ARG)
• Marcelo Brozovic (CRO)
• Kevin De Bruyne (BEL)
• Ilkay Gundogan (GER)
• Erling Haaland (NOR)
• Rodri (ESP)
• Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (GEO)
• Kylian Mbappe (FRA)
• Lionel Messi (ARG)
• Victor Osimhen (NGR)
• Declan Rice (ENG)
• Bernardo Silva (POR)

Nominees for FIFA Best Women's Player 2023:

• Aitana Bonmati (ESP)
• Linda Caicedo (COL)
• Rachel Daly (ENG)
• Kadidiatou Diani (FRA)
• Caitlin Foord (AUS)
• Mary Fowler (AUS)
• Alex Greenwood (ENG)
• Jenni Hermoso (ESP)
• Lindsey Horan (USA)
• Amanda Ilestedt (SWE)
• Lauren James (ENG)
• Sam Kerr (AUS)
• Mapi Leon (ESP)
• Hinata Miyazawa (JPN)
• Salma Paralluelo (ESP)
• Keira Walsh (ENG)

Nominees for FIFA Best Women's Coach 2023:

• Peter Gerhardsson (SWE)
• Jonatan Giraldez (ESP)
• Tony Gustavsson (SWE)
• Emma Hayes (ENG)
• Sarina Wiegman (NED)

Nominees for FIFA Best Men's Coach 2023:

• Pep Guardiola (ESP)
• Simone Inzaghi (ITA)
• Ange Postecoglou (AUS)
• Luciano Spalletti (ITA)
• Xavi (ESP)

SportsLigue