Top 10 football players in the world for the year 2023

 

Presenting our comprehensive round-up of the top 10 football players in the world for the year 2023.

Determining the best football player globally is an arduous task, as opinions vary due to the abundance of exceptional talents and continuous improvements.

Erling Haaland showcased his dominance against Premier League defenses in his debut season, Kylian Mbappe remains an incredibly gifted superstar, and Lionel Messi continues to mesmerize audiences on a new continent at the age of 36.

Our list considers various factors. While recent form is important, players who have consistently delivered exceptional performances over an extended period are not disregarded due to a single season of lesser impact.

Trophy wins, the strength of leagues, statistical achievements, intangible qualities, and numerous other aspects have shaped our criteria for ranking. We acknowledge that you may strongly disagree with our choices.

To give you a glimpse of the caliber of players just outside the top 10, the likes of Bruno Fernandes from Manchester United, Mohamed Salah of Liverpool, young talents Pedri and Gavi, as well as defensive stalwarts David Alaba and Virgil van Dijk, narrowly missed making the cut.

10- Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)

At number 10, we have Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid). While some may argue that it's premature to include him among these exceptional players, Bellingham has already demonstrated his immense talent at Dortmund and on the international stage.

Bellingham's dynamic and all-action style of play propelled him from being a teenage wildcard to an instant starter for England at the 2022 World Cup. His performances for Dortmund placed them firmly in contention for the title, narrowly missing out to Bayern Munich on goal difference.

Already displaying the qualities of a complete midfielder, Bellingham combines physicality, excellent ball-carrying abilities, and precise passing skills. With the confidence to claim Zinedine Zidane's No.5 shirt at the Bernabeu, he is poised for a remarkable ascent in the 2023/24 season.

9. Luka Modric (Real Madrid)

Moving to number 9, we have Luka Modric (Real Madrid). Age seems to have no effect on Modric, as he continues to defy expectations and remains a timeless and majestic presence on the field. Twenty years after his professional debut with Zrinjski Mostar in the Bosnian Premier League and with over 800 games under his belt, few players can be trusted more to orchestrate the midfield.

Modric personifies silkiness in his style of play. He effortlessly glides across the pitch, seemingly never troubled or exerted. With his deft touch, clever feints, and artful passes that dissect opposition lines, he consistently leaves opponents helpless. Despite expectations of decline, Madrid's management of his playing time has been exceptional, ensuring he remains fresh and fit for crucial Champions League encounters. Modric will continue to command the game until his final bow.

8. Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid)

Taking the eighth spot is Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid). While it may seem like a Real Madrid-dominated list, it highlights the formidable threat posed by the club's emerging talents. Since 2018, the 23-year-old has amassed over 200 appearances in all competitions, establishing himself as a genuine contender for the top ranks in the future.

Vinicius' blazing pace, coupled with explosive acceleration, allows him to leave petrified defenders behind with ease. What sets him apart is his ability to combine speed with exceptional footwork and ball control, on par with the best players in the world.

7. Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona)

And at number 7, we have Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona). In an era of various striking roles and tactical innovations, Lewandowski stands as a beacon for traditional, out-and-out goal scorers. He has consistently found the back of the net when others have experimented with different approaches.

Lewandowski is a straightforward force on the field. He possesses an instinctual understanding of the game, anticipating the flow of the ball and positioning himself precisely to exploit scoring opportunities. His comprehensive knowledge of goal dimensions allows him to utilize every inch of the net. In one-on-one situations, there are few players as likely as Lewandowski to come out on top, making him the ideal choice in those critical moments.

While Lewandowski is adept at building attacks and creating chances, his true ruthlessness shines when he operates near the opposition's penalty area, showcasing remarkable movement and awareness as the target for his teammates' deliveries.

6. Karim Benzema (Al-Ittihad)

At number 6, we have Karim Benzema (Al-Ittihad). It would be tempting to describe Benzema's 2022/23 season as an Indian summer, but in reality, he simply continued to do what he has always done: lead the line, score goals, win trophies, and repeat.

Throughout the past 14 years, Real Madrid's success has been closely tied to Benzema's contributions. Despite not always receiving the respect he deserves, with Real Madrid frequently attempting to replace him with various strikers, no one has been able to fill the No. 9 role quite like him.

Benzema excels in doing the dirty work on the pitch. He willingly engages in the necessary battles and acts as a dream partner for wide or inside forwards, serving as the ultimate pivot point to build attacks around. His ability to play with his back to goal is as dangerous to opponents as his direct approach. If you make a run, he will provide the pass. He is a complete striker who finally received the recognition he deserved before moving to Saudi Arabia.

5. Erling Haaland (Man City)

Moving to number 5, we have Erling Haaland (Man City). Haaland has redefined what is considered normal. Arguably, his only flaw in the 2022/23 season was setting the bar impossibly high right from the start. Between the beginning of the season and the end of 2022, Haaland found the back of the net 22 times in just 15 Premier League games. To put it into perspective, that goal tally would have won the Golden Boot in seven previous Premier League seasons. While he slightly cooled off after Christmas, his overall performance remained extraordinary.

Haaland's physicality is unmatched, his finishing skills—whether through improvised and instinctive techniques—are astonishing, and his speed is a rare asset in the Premier League. The most exciting part is that we have likely yet to witness Haaland at his absolute peak. The next few years should be explosive, and if he can maintain his consistency over an extended period, there's no doubt he will claim the top spot on this list.

4. Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)

At number 4, we have Harry Kane (Bayern Munich). Kane's reputation has often been somewhat inflated by the mystique surrounding foreign leagues, where we primarily see players' highlights and rarely witness their off days, missed opportunities, and failures. The hyper-exposed, tribal nature of the Premier League sometimes prevents rival fans from appreciating world-class talent when it's right in front of them. However, in 2023, it felt like we finally reached a point where Kane's excellence couldn't be denied. And then he left for a foreign league.

Kane consistently ends seasons with around 30 goals and numerous assists, placing him above almost every other striker in the world. His finishing is exceptional, and his positioning compensates for a lack of raw pace. However, his unique attribute lies in his uncanny playmaking ability. He can pick out a pass from deep, deliver pinpoint crosses, and effectively operate as both a No. 10 and a No. 9 simultaneously. He achieved all of this while playing for a team that, with all due respect, was not at his level and rarely has been. Kane is lethal for both club and country, seamlessly transitioning to life in Munich without missing a beat.

3. Kevin De Bruyne (Man City)

Taking the third spot is Kevin De Bruyne (Man City). In the 2022/23 season, De Bruyne may have appeared to have a relatively lukewarm campaign, but he still managed to create 22 goals and score nine in 42 matches across the Premier League and Champions League. Injury issues have limited his screen time compared to his past dominance, but similar to Haaland, De Bruyne makes extraordinary achievements seem ordinary.

De Bruyne could be regarded as the greatest crosser of the ball in Premier League history, and his vision and ability to play defense-splitting passes are incredibly effective on numerous occasions. What sets him apart is the array of skills he possesses. He is a lethal set-piece taker, unexpectedly physical, and genuinely quick off the mark. Without these additional qualities, De Bruyne would still be a top-tier player, but with them, he becomes a multi-layered box of tricks.

2. Kylian Mbappé (PSG)

At number 2, we have Kylian Mbappé (PSG). Mbappé has become a megastar, solidifying his greatness through his performances in the World Cup. While achieving greatness through international success is an old-fashioned approach in the era of the Champions League and Premier League, Mbappé's heroics for both club and country leave no doubt about his ability and mentality.

Although he has often dominated Ligue 1 like Neymar and many before him, it is his performances on the global stage that truly put him ahead. His hat-trick in the World Cup final will be remembered as legendary—a big-time performance from a big-time player.

Mbappé is often caught in the soap opera-like drama between PSG and Real Madrid, with his focus seemingly divided due to off-field politics. However, his character during the World Cup, his mentality, and his unwavering determination to carry his team to victory have elevated him even further.

He is one of the fastest footballers ever seen on the field, combining speed with a unique range of shooting abilities. Whether striking the ball on the run or with immense power from a stationary position, he can finesse shots low into the corners or drive the ball high into the roof of the net. If Mbappé has the ball in your half, you are in danger.

1. Lionel Messi (Inter Miami)

And finally, at number 1, we have Lionel Messi (Inter Miami). For the first time in over a decade, there was genuine consideration for the top spot, but upon careful review, there was no clear and obvious reason to rule out Messi.

There's no denying that Messi has evolved. He may have lost a fraction of his blistering pace, but his intelligence and mastery of the ball still allow him to exert control over the outcome of games. While he may not be an all-action player contributing extensively to defensive work, to hold that against him would be missing the point entirely.

Messi continues to dominate games, both subtly and explicitly, for both his club and Argentina. His performances directly inspired Argentina to Copa America and World Cup triumphs, and he has transformed MLS team Inter Miami from rock bottom to cup finalists in just a month.

Messi's reign at the top will eventually come to an end, possibly in the near future, but for now, there is no justification to drop a player of his talent, influence, recent success, and remaining fuel in the tank. The magician continues to reign supreme.

Who is the best football player in the world?

The question of who is the best football player in the world is often a topic of debate among fans and experts. However, Lionel Messi's exceptional talent and remarkable achievements have solidified his status as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport.

With a combination of objective statistics and the intangible qualities that make him truly special, Messi's individual brilliance sets him apart. His performances over nearly two decades have consistently showcased his exceptional skills and undeniable impact on the game.

While opinions may differ, it is difficult to dispute Messi's claim to the title of the best football player of all time. However, it is important to remember that opinions on this matter can vary, and it's perfectly acceptable for individuals to have different viewpoints and preferences when it comes to their favorite players.

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