ESPN’S 2023 FC100 list has been released and there were some eyebrows raised over the placement of some players across different lists.
In reeling out ESPN’s list of best men’s forward in the year 2023, it apparently signals the graceful departure of some players from prime competition.
Superstars from across Europe made the list with the top 10 predominantly littered by names who ply their trade in Europe.
I am certain that you will be keen to know where you favorites were placed in ESPN’S 2023 FC100 list.
Without further ado, let’s dive straight into the names on the top 10 of ESPN’S 2023 FC100 List for forwards:
10) Neymar
Starting from the 10th spot on the list, the Paris Saint Germain winger makes an appearance.
Despite a season blighted with injury, Neymar still did enough to earn a spot in the top 10 of ESPN’s best men’s forward for 2023.
The 31-year-old scored 18 goals and provided 17 assists for PSG during the 2022/23 season.
9) Christopher Nkunku
The newly signed Chelsea attacker was really breathtaking for RB Leipzig last term and it appears that has earned him a spot in the top 10.
The 25-year-old has been one of Europe’s most deadly forwards in 2023, helping RB Leipzig to a DFB-POKAL final triumph over Eintracht Frankfurt.
Nkunku scored 23 goals and provided 9 assists during the 2022/23 season.
8) Lautaro Martinez
Martinez culminated 2022 with a bang winning the FIFA World Cup in Qatar and he also assisted Inter Milan to win the 2023 Coppa Italia, scoring a brace in the final.
He also led the Nerazzurri to the final of the UEFA Champions League, albeit losing to Manchester City.
The 25-year-old scored 28 goals and provided 11 assists in 57 matches for Inter Milan last term.
7) Rafael Leao
He was really menacing for AC Milan last term producing magic from the wings and that has earned him a spot in the top 10 of ESPN’S 2023 FC100 list with the forwards in view.
Leao was devastating as he assisted AC Milan to the Champions League semifinal, although they lost to City rivals Inter Milan.
The 24-year-old scored 16-goals and provided 15 assists in 48 appearances for AC Milan during the 2022/23 season.
6) Marcus Rashford
The Mancunian was monstrous in attack for Manchester United, helping the club to win a silverware for the first time in nearly 6 years.
Rashford hit heights he had never struck in previous years as he was the sole man to provide the goals for the Red Devils last term.
He scored 30 goals and provided 11 assists in 56 appearances for the English side last term.
5) Antoine Griezmann
The Frenchman was impressive for France during the 2022 FIFA World Cup as he played a leading role in the country’s world cup charge.
They lost via penalties but they prove to be a tough nut to crack for the eventual winners, Argentina.
His 16 goals and 19 assists in 48 appearances was enough for him to earn a spot in the top 10.
4) Mohammed Salah
In a campaign that was below-par for Liverpool, Mohammed Salah still stood out individually.
Salah scored 31 goals and provided 16 assists in 51 games for the Reds last term.
3) Lionel Messi
The mercurial one produced magic for club and country last term as he led Argentina to the FIFA World Cup, winning a trophy that has eluded him all-career long.
He also provided the goods for Paris Saint Germain, scoring 21 goals and providing 20 assists in 41 appearances.
2) Vinicius Jr
Truly excellent beyond borders for Real Madrid last term, continuing in his stellar self which he eschewed the previous season.
Vinicius scored 23 goals and provided 21 assists in 55 appearances for Real Madrid last term.
1) Kylian Mbappe
The Frenchman was monstrous for France and Paris Saint Germain last term, achieving excellent strides and breaking records.
Mbappe became Paris Saint Germain all-time top scorer and he also won the World Cup Golden boot for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Mbappe scored 41 goals and provided 10 assists for PSG during the 2022/23 season.
This is ESPN’s best men’s forward for the year 2023 and although you might raise eyebrows for some names on the list and their placements, it is still a great list.
Meanwhile, as we proceed on ESPN’S 2023 FC100 List, let’s give you a run-through of ESPN’s best strikers in the world in 2022-23.
10) Jonathan David of Lille
9) Dusan Vlahovic of Juventus
8) Alexander Isak of Newcastle United
7) Randal Kolo Muani of Eintracht Frankfurt
6) Gabriel Jesus of Arsenal.
For the top 5, many have shown their discontent with the placement of some players.
5) Robert Lewandowski
The Barcelona forward produced the goods for the Catalan side last term and he assisted the club to win the La Liga.
Lewandowski scored 33 goals and provided 8 assists in 46 appearances for the Spanish side during the 2022/23 season.
4) Victor Osimhen
The man who has etched his name in the history of Napoli by winning the 2022/24 Serie A is placed 4th.
Osimhen was menacing in attack for the Neapolitans last term scoring 31 goals and providing 5 assists in 39 appearances across all competitions.
3) Harry Kane
In the midst of a torturous season for Spurs, Kane was still running the show in usual fashion.
The Englishman who broke the record of Wayne Rooney to become England’s top scorer, scored 32 goals and provided 5 assists in 49 appearances for the club.
2) Karim Benzema
Following several illustrious and wonderful years in Europe, the Frenchman decided it was time for football elsewhere.
However, accolades and praises concerning his magic still continue to follow him as he has been ranked the second men’s best striker in 2022-23 by ESPN.
Benzema scored 31 goals and provided 6 goals in 43 appearances for Real Madrid during the 2022-23 season.
1) Erling Braut Haaland
Truly devastating, truly menacing, truly monstrous, whatever adjective you want to use in quantifying Haaland’s brilliance, he was up there for the 2022-23 season.
The Norwegian broke the record for the Premier League highest scorer for a single season, smashing the record of Alan Shearer and Andy Cole amongst many other records which he broke.
Haaland scored 52 goals and provided 9 assists in 53 appearances for Manchester City.
