Three Contenders Set to Battle for "World Player of the Year" Crown
The globe's leading footballers will vie for the 2023 "World Player of the Year" title in January. Between them, Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, and Erling Haaland have their sights set on an eighth, third, and first title, respectively. A female footballing sensation is also expected to make a strong case in the women's division.
Argentina's extremely gifted captain, Lionel Messi, aims to snag another prestigious award. At 36, he stands amongst the elite trio contending for the FIFA World Player of the Year awards, as approved by FIFA. Messi has already claimed the title seven times, making him the record holder.
Messi and his fellow finalists have also been recognized for the Ballon d'Or this year. He emerged as the champion. This accolade will be presented during a grand gala in London on January 15. FIFA initially solicited votes from captains, coaches, journalists, and fans. Messi locked in the title for 2022 in February, a mere two months following Argentina's World Cup victory.
Disappointingly, Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi's arch-nemesis, did not make this year's shortlist. Truly, there was only one German national team captain on the list of twelve nominees, with none of these candidates calling the Bundesliga their home.
Spanish starlets Aitana Bonmati, Jennifer Hermoso, and Linda Caicedo form the finale lineup for the women's competition. Caicedo, recovering from an ankle injury, recently captured the "Golden Girl" award, honoring the world's most promising player. Previously, DFB star Jule Brandt held this title.
Curiously, the reputed Spaniard Alexia Putellas claimed the 2022 award, whilst Bonmati emerged victorious in the 2023 Ballon d'Or competition. Regrettably, no Bundesliga players found their place on the list of the top 16 world-class contenders.
Further Reading:
While Mbappé and Haaland as well as Messi vie for the FIFA World Player of the Year title, Cristiano Ronaldo's extraordinary soccer skills continue to captivate the audience globally. Remember, there's no dearth of phenomenal soccer talent out there.
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