FIFA has announced the three finalists for the Best Men’s Player Award – Karim Benzema, Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi.
The award recognises the best performers in the men’s game from August 2021 to December 18, 2022.
One player will walk away with the top honour at a ceremony in Paris on February 27. There were 14 nominees chosen by a panel of experts for the award.
Another international panel chose the three finalists. This group consists of the men’s national team coaches, men’s national team captains, football journalists and fans who voted on FIFA’s website.
Karim Benzema led Real Madrid to their 14th Champions League title, the fifth of his trophy-laden career. He was the top scorer during the campaign.
Benzema came up with so many clutch moments, netting hat-tricks against Paris Saint-Germain in the round of 16 and Chelsea in the quarter-finals.
He then scored three goals across two legs as Real eliminated Manchester City in the semi-final.
The 35-year-old also helped Los Blancos win the La Liga title, again finishing as the top scorer.
Benzema rejoined the French national team after a lengthy absence and helped them win the UEFA Nations League in 2021. He won the prestigious Ballon d’Or and the Champions League Player of the Year award.
Benzema’s international teammate Mbappe finished as the top scorer and top assist provider in Ligue 1 to help his side clinch the title.
The 24-year-old has scored another 13 goals to set Les Parisiens on their way to the championship again this season.
However, it was his performances at the 2022 World Cup that solidified his standing as a football great despite his age.
The former AS Monaco man was in phenomenal form and dragged his team to the final. He finished as the top scorer at the tournament and established himself as a leader for Les Bleus.
Mbappe scored a hat-trick in the final and netted his penalty, but it was not to be as Argentina won the game.
It was Messi’s moment. The mercurial star won the Golden Ball award after a mesmerising tournament performance on the world’s biggest stage. It was a great showing from the former Barcelona man – his crowning moment.
Messi struggled in France last season after joining from Barcelona. He bagged six league goals and 14 assists. He scored another five in the Champions League.
The goals and assists have flowed better this season, and his overall performances have been more impressive.
