FIFA announce the final nominees for the best Player of the year award

FIFA has announced the final shortlist for the winner of the best player of the year award for 2023.

Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe have been announced as the three finalists for the award. The nominees were announced on the official website of the world governing body, FIFA on Thursday, December 14 2023.

The award recognises the most outstanding performers in the men’s game from the period of 19 December 2022 to 20 August 2023. The winner of the illustrious prize will be revealed at a London ceremony on 15 January 2024.

Everything you need to know about the finalists

Erling Haaland

The Norwegian international was a key part of the Manchester City team that won the treble last season ( UEFA Champions League, FA Cup and the Premier League).

He also won individual awards which include the European Golden Shoe, the English Premier League Golden Boot, and the rare double of being named English Premier League Player and Young Player of the season.

Kylian Mbappe

The captain of the French national team has always shone like a million stars every time he has been called upon for both club and national team.

He helped Paris Saint Germain win the Ligue 1 for the eighth time in the past 11 seasons. Mbappes scored 17 goals in 20 appearances which helped the Parisians win the league. He was named the Ligue 1 Player of the Year and also was the highest goal scorer in the league.

Lionel Messi

The captain of the Argentine national team was named the winner of the award last year following his impressive performance in helping Argentina to win the FIFA World Cup which was hosted in Qatar. He also helped PSG win the Ligue 1 title and was named in the Ligue 1 team of the season and ended the season with the highest number of assists.

The award will be presented to the individual with the most points. The voting procedure is supervised by independent observers, results will be published in full on FIFA's website following the awards ceremony.