FIFA explains why Messi is in the top 3 for The Best 2023 award at the age of 36

On December 14, FIFA announced that Messi, 36 years old and currently playing for Inter Miami Club in the US, was in the top 3 for The Best 2023 award along with two top stars of European football, striker Erling Haaland (Man City Club) and Kylian Mbappe (PSG).

Messi (middle) in the top 3 for The Best 2023 award

The Best 2023 award is calculated by FIFA from December 19, 2022 to August 20, 2023. This period starts just 1 day after the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar. Messi is also the winner of The Best 2022 award thanks to his achievement with the Argentina team winning the 2022 World Cup, when FIFA calculated the achievements from August 8, 2021 to December 18, 2022.

Therefore, in The Best 2023, the influence of Messi's 2022 World Cup championship is no longer effective. However, why is he still in the top 3 nominations?

FIFA explained: "Returning from the 2022 World Cup, where Messi captivated audiences around the world at the age of 36, he won Ligue 1 with PSG, the second time he has won the title during his time in France. Messi was also named in the Ligue 1 Team of the Year and topped the league's assist charts.

The latest and biggest challenge for Messi's career came in July 2023, when he scored more than 100 goals for Argentina and became the all-time top scorer in Europe's top five leagues.

"Messi crossed the Atlantic to join Inter Miami, a move that was greeted with enthusiasm by fans across North America. He also produced some of the greatest football of all time, keeping audiences everywhere enthralled with his great runs even at the age of 36," FIFA continued in explaining Messi's inclusion in the top 3 for The Best 2023.

Messi and FIFA President Gianni Infantino

Meanwhile, striker Erling Haaland has the advantage of a historic treble with Man City (winning the Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup). The Norwegian striker also scored 52 goals in 53 matches in these tournaments, won the European Golden Boot, the Premier League Top Scorer and won the Premier League Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year awards.

PSG striker Mbappe is also in the top 3, but is not highly rated, because he only scored 17 goals in 20 matches in Ligue 1, with 2 titles of Best Player and Top Scorer of Ligue 1.

FIFA's The Best 2023 award is based on votes from national team coaches and captains, journalists from member associations and online viewers. The Best 2023 award ceremony will be held in London, England on January 15, 2024.

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