In the much-anticipated lead-up to the 2023 FIFA Best Men’s Footballer awards, several football stars, including Victor Osimhen from Nigeria, Kevin De Bruyne from Belgium, and Erling Haaland from Norway, have emerged as notable nominees.
Less than a month following the thrilling conclusion of the ninth FIFA Women’s World Cup, the nominees for the eighth edition of The Best FIFA Football Awards have been unveiled. A panel of football experts meticulously reviewed extensive lists compiled by FIFA, taking into account each candidate’s achievements during the award eligibility period. Now, the voting process is open across various categories, with the international jury comprising national team captains, coaches, journalists, and fans from around the globe.
The exceptional performances at the record-breaking FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 in Australia and New Zealand are prominently featured among The Best FIFA Women’s Player nominees. The list includes Aitana Bonmatí, the Adidas Golden Ball winner, who leads a quartet of Spanish talents. Additionally, there are four players from the tournament runners-up, England, and a trio of Matildas, who came close to reaching the final on their home soil.
Notably, half of the candidates for The Best FIFA Men’s Player were part of Manchester City’s treble-winning squad during the 2022-23 season. Coach Pep Guardiola is also nominated for The Best FIFA Men’s Coach, standing alongside four of his coaching peers. Meanwhile, the 2021 and 2022 winners of The Best FIFA Women’s Coach, Emma Hayes and Sarina Wiegman, respectively, are among the five nominees in their category.
In the realm of goalkeeping, nominations for The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper are dominated by custodians who excelled in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand in July and August. This list includes Adidas Golden Glove winner Mary Earps and gold medalist Catalina Coll. On the men’s side, the five nominees hail from three different continents.
The highly anticipated FIFA Puskás Award is expected to generate numerous votes, as it recognizes the player who has scored the most aesthetically significant goal, regardless of championship, gender, or nationality. The goal must be scored without the result of luck or a mistake and in support of fair play. The nominees for this award will be announced on September 21.
Furthermore, the FIFA Fan Award nominees represent a diverse blend of fandom and special achievements. Fran Hurndall’s remarkable feat of dribbling a football over 1000 kilometers for 32 days to raise money for charity is one highlight. Another heartwarming story features a fan of Club Atlético Colón de Santa Fe, captured on camera showcasing unwavering club loyalty as he cradled his baby son in the stands. Additionally, Miguel Ángel, a young fan of Colombian club Millonarios, had his final wish fulfilled when he met his heroes before passing away.
The winners of The Best FIFA Women’s Player, The Best FIFA Women’s Coach, and The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper will be selected by an international jury composed of current coaches and captains of all women’s national teams, specialist journalists, and registered fans from around the world on FIFA.com. Similarly, The Best FIFA Men’s Player, The Best FIFA Men’s Coach, and The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper will also be determined by an international jury following the same criteria.
Here are the nominees for The Best FIFA Women’s Player and The Best FIFA Men’s Player:
The Best FIFA Women’s Player Nominees:
- Aitana Bonmatí (Spain / FC Barcelona)
- Linda Caicedo (Colombia / Real Madrid CF)
- Rachel Daly (England / Aston Villa Ladies FC)
- Kadidiatou Diani (France / Olympique Lyonnais / Paris Saint-Germain prior to Aug 2023)
- Caitlin Foord (Australia / Arsenal WFC)
- Mary Fowler (Australia / Manchester City WFC)
- Alex Greenwood (England / Manchester City WFC)
- Jennifer Hermoso (Spain / CF Pachuca Femenil)
- Lindsey Horan (USA / Olympique Lyonnais)
- Amanda Ilestedt (Sweden / Arsenal WFC / Paris Saint-Germain (FRA) prior to June 2023)
- Lauren James (England / Chelsea FC)
- Sam Kerr (Australia / Chelsea FC)
- Mapi León (Spain / FC Barcelona)
- Hinata Miyazawa (Japan / Mynavi Sendai)
- Salma Paralluelo (Spain / FC Barcelona)
- Keira Walsh (England / FC Barcelona).
The Best FIFA Men’s Player Nominees:
- Julián Álvarez (Argentina / Manchester City FC)
- Marcelo Brozović (Croatia / FC Internazionale Milano / Al Nassr FC)
- Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium / Manchester City FC)
- İlkay Gündoğan (Germany / Manchester City FC / FC Barcelona)
- Erling Haaland (Norway / Manchester City FC)
- Rodrigo (Rodri) Hernández Cascante (Spain / Manchester City FC)
- Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Georgia / SSC Napoli)
- Kylian Mbappé (France / Paris Saint-Germain)
- Lionel Messi (Argentina / Paris Saint-Germain / Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami)
- Victor Osimhen (Nigeria / SSC Napoli)
- Declan Rice (England / West Ham United FC / Arsenal FC)
- Bernardo Silva (Portugal / Manchester City FC).
