2023 FIFA Best Award will see teammates Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe battle again after doing same in 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Messi, Kylian Mbappe of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), and Real Madrid captain Karim Benzema were named as the three nominees for the FIFA Best Men’s Player award for 2022 on Friday 10 February.
The three-player shortlist for the coveted Best Men’s Player award has been announced by FIFA, the international governing body of association football, eight weeks after record-setting Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi led Argentina to World Cup victory in Qatar.
On February 27, FIFA will announce the recipient of The Best Men’s Player Award during a ceremony in Paris.
For being the best performer in men’s football from 8 August 2021 to 18 December 2022, Benzema, Messi, or Mbappe will get the prestigious award.
Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema led the La Liga giants to a record-extending 14th European crown in the previous season of the UEFA Champions League, while PSG talents Messi and Mbappe were the stars of the FIFA World Cup final in December.
A distinguished judging panel has previously selected 14 players for The Best FIFA Men’s Player honor.
The remaining three finalists were chosen by an international jury made up of men’s national team coaches, men’s national team captains, football journalists, and fans who cast their votes on FIFA’s official website. Argentina captain Messi, French forward Mbappe, and Ballon d’Or winner Benzmea are their chosen finalists.
The final three nominees for The Best FIFA Men’s Player
- Karim Benzema (France / Real Madrid CF)
- Kylian Mbappé (France / Paris Saint-Germain FC)
- Lionel Messi (Argentina / Paris Saint-Germain FC)
Who Will Win The 2023 FIFA Best Award?
Despite having a fantastic season with Real Madrid the previous year and winning the Ballon d’Or, Benzema is not the clear favorite to win the coveted FIFA trophy in Paris.
Due to an injury, the 35-year-old was unable to participate in the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
In Benzema’s absence, PSG forward Mbappe led the French assault and led Les Bleus (France National Team) to the FIFA World Cup final.
Mbappe scored eight goals to take home the Golden Boot at the World Cup in Qatar.
But Argentina, led by Messi, defeated Mbappe’s France in a dramatic FIFA World Cup 2022 final.
Other Categories for The Best FIFA Football Awards 2022 include:
The final three nominees for The Best FIFA Men’s Coach are:
- Carlo Ancelotti (Real Madrid CF)
- Pep Guardiola (Manchester City FC)
- Lionel Scaloni (Argentinian National Team)
The final three nominees for The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper are:
- Yassine Bounou (Morocco / Sevilla FC)
- Thibaut Courtois (Belgium / Real Madrid CF)
- Emiliano Martínez (Argentina / Aston Villa FC)
The final three nominees for The FIFA Puskás Award are:
- Marcin Oleksy (Poland): Warta Poznań v. Stal Rzeszów [PZU Amp Futbol Ekstraklasa] (6 November 2022)
- Dimitri Payet (France): Olympique de Marseille v. PAOK Thessaloniki [UEFA Europa Conference League] (7 April 2022)
- Richarlison (Brazil): Brazil v. Serbia [FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022] (24 November 2022)
Who do you think will win the award amongst the three? Share your thoughts with us below…
