ZÜRICH – Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi have been announced as the three finalists for The Best FIFA Men’s Player Award 2023.
Meanwhile, Aitana Bonmati, Linda Caicedo and Jennifer Hermoso have been chosen as the three finalists for The Best FIFA Women’s Player Award 2023.
The accolade recognizes the most outstanding performers in the men’s game from the period of December 19, 2022 to August 20, 2023; and women’s game from August 1, 2022 to August 20, 2023.
Winners of the illustrious prize will be revealed at a London ceremony on January 15, 2024.
A total of 12 players in men and 16 from women were initially nominated, having been chosen by a panel of experts. From this shortlist, the three finalists for each category, have been selected by an international jury comprising: men’s and women’s national team coaches, men’s and women’s national team captains, football journalists, and fans who voted on FIFA’s official website.
HOW DID MBAPPE, MESSI AND HAALAND MAKE THE TOP THREE?
Here is the process of how the shortlist was whittled down from 12 players to three:
From the 12-player shortlist, each voter made their first, second and third choices for the prize.
Points were given to nominees depending on where they were placed (five points for first, three for second and one for third).
Nominated national team captains could not vote for themselves.
Selections from the four voting groups – coaches, captains, journalists, and fans – each counted for 25 per cent of the total vote, irrespective of the number of voters from each group.
The Best FIFA Men’s Player Award will be presented to the individual with the most points.
If finalists are tied on points, the award will be bestowed on the individual who has received the most first-choice selections.
