In a dazzling ceremony at The Best FIFA Football Awards in London, England, the footballing world stood witness to the revelation of the FIFA FIFPRO Men’s World 11 for 2023. This prestigious accolade, the only global player award exclusively determined by professional footballers, showcases the pinnacle of talent and excellence in the realm of men’s football. Notably, this year’s unveiling held special significance, with Lionel Messi etching his name into history with a remarkable 17th successive appearance.
Messi’s Unparalleled Streak
The legendary Lionel Messi continues to defy the bounds of greatness, securing his place in the FIFA FIFPRO Men’s World 11 for an unprecedented 17th consecutive year. Since 2007, the Argentinian maestro has consistently earned the respect and admiration of his peers, a testament to his enduring brilliance on the football pitch.
Manchester City’s Domination
In a nod to Manchester City’s sensational campaign, six players from their treble-winning squad claimed their spots in the esteemed World 11. Kyle Walker, John Stones, Ruben Dias, Bernardo Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, and the prolific Erling Haaland all earned the nod of approval from their fellow professionals, cementing their status among the global elite.
The Pinnacle of Individual Excellence
The coveted 2023 FIFA FIFPRO Men’s World 11 boasts an assembly of stellar talents across different positions, showcasing the very best in the world of football. The individual accolades are as follows:
Goalkeeper
Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid, Belgium)
Defenders
- Ruben Dias (Manchester City, Portugal)
- John Stones (Manchester City, England)
- Kyle Walker (Manchester City, England)
Midfielders
- Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund/Real Madrid, England)
- Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City, Belgium)
- Bernardo Silva (Manchester City, Portugal)
Forwards
- Erling Haaland (Manchester City, Norway)
- Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain, France)
- Lionel Messi (Paris Saint-Germain/Inter Miami, Argentina)
- Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid, Brazil)
The Intricacies of the Voting Process
The integrity of the FIFA FIFPRO Men’s World 11 lies in the hands of the players themselves. Professional footballers from 69 countries actively participated in the voting process, utilizing unique links provided by FIFPRO and affiliated player unions to access a digital voting platform.
Criteria for Selection
Players were tasked with voting for their peers based on performances spanning from December 19, 2022, to August 20, 2023. To be eligible for consideration, players had to have appeared in at least 23 official matches during this period.
Positional Selection
Footballers were given the responsibility of choosing the three most outstanding players in each of the following positions: goalkeeper, defence, midfield, and forward. The final World 11 lineup comprised the goalkeeper and three players in each of the defensive, midfield, and forward positions with the highest number of votes.
Player Autonomy
Crucially, players enjoyed the freedom to select any of their peers, with a provided suggestion list serving as a reference. The voting tool offered flexibility, allowing players to add names not present on the list, emphasizing the organic nature of the selection process.
Conclusion
The unveiling of the FIFA FIFPRO Men’s World 11 is a celebration of individual brilliance and collective acknowledgment within the football fraternity. As the curtain falls on this edition, it leaves an indelible mark on the rich tapestry of footballing history, underscoring the essence of excellence as determined by those who understand the game at its highest level – the players themselves.
