JUST-IN: FIFA Shortlists Messi, Haaland, Osimhen, Others For ‘Best Player’ Award

Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland and Super Eagles forward Victor Osimhen will headline a 13-man shortlist for the Best FIFA Men’s Player Award 2023.

The Nigerian international, who has scored a total of 31 goals to help
clinch the Serie A title and reached the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League last season, was the only African player on the list of nominees for 2023 FIFA Men’s player award released on Thursday by the world soccer governing body.

The list is dominated by Manchester City FC’s 2022-23 treble-winning squad, while coach Pep Guardiola was also nominated for The Best FIFA Men’s Coach alongside four of his peers.

Osimhen has established himself as one of Europe’s deadliest marksmen and his outstanding goal-scoring statistics have not gone unnoticed to the eyes of Europe’s wealthiest clubs, with the likes of Manchester United, Bayern, and Chelsea all expressing an interest in acquiring his services in the near future.

Haaland’s Man City team-mates Julián Álvarez, Kevin De Bruyne, İlkay Gündoğan and Bernardo Silva joined him on the shortlist for impressive contributions to Pep Guardiola-treble-winning squad.

Kylian Mbappé also makes the list as well as Marcelo Brozović, Rodrigo, Hernández Cascante, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Declan Rice of Arsenal.

Performances at the record-breaking FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 were reflected in the Best FIFA Women’s Player nominees. Adidas Golden Ball winner Aitana Bonmatí leads a quartet of Spanish nominees. Four players from tournament runners-up England and a trio of Matildas – who were a victory away from reaching the final on home soil – are also part of a 16-player shortlist.