Lionel Messi vs Karim Benzema: Who deserves FIFA Player of the Year 2023

The international football body (FIFA) revealed the three-player shortlist for the prestigious Best Men’s Player award 2023 on 10th February 2023. Paris Saint Germain (PSG) superstars Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Real Madrid captain Karim Benzema have been announced as the three nominees for the FIFA Best Men’s Player award for 2022 on Friday.

The three superstars were selected from an original list of 14 entries after an equally shared vote between national team coaches, captains, journalists and fans.


There were hardly any surprises in the three-man shortlist, with Messi, Mbappe and Benzema the standout performers between the dates of August 2021 and 18 December 2022.

FIFA will crown the winner of The Best Men's Player Award on Monday (27 February) at a Paris ceremony. Here, we will take a look at the favourite for the accolade.

Lionel Messi: World Cup-winning captain and Golden-ball winner

Leo Messi: Creating #FIFAWorldCup memories since 2006 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/5FPs7vYZcW

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) February 26, 2023

Lionel Messi led Argentina to their third FIFA World Cup triumph in December 2022 and is likely to be the favourite for the accolade.

The Argentine also won the Golden Ball in the World Cup thanks to his exploits in the World Cup as he scored seven goals and provided three assists at the event in Qatar.

Messi has also enjoyed himself for PSG this campaign having scored 16 goals and provided 14 assists in 27 games this campaign. The 36-year-old forward also won Ligue 1 and Trophée des Champions with Argentina last season.

Karim Benzema: Led Real Madrid to Champions League and La Liga titles

Los 15 goles de Karim Benzema en la Champions League 2021/22.

⚽️⚽️⚽️ vs PSG en octavos
⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️ vs Chelsea en cuartos
⚽️⚽️⚽️ vs Man City en semifinales

Absurdo. #BallonDor pic.twitter.com/MNH4Oa9cg9

— Sphera Sports (@SpheraSports) October 17, 2022

Karim Benzema had a phenomenal last season for Real Madrid as he led Los Blancos to both La Liga and Champions League success scoring goals for fun.

The Frenchman scored 44 goals and provided 15 assists in 46 games last season and has scored 18 times this season in 25 games while also providing five assists.

Benzema also won the Ballon d'Or last time out but does not look favourite for the Best Men's Player Award with Lionel Messi having won the World Cup.

Kylian Mbappe: World Cup Golden Boot winner and finalist

Showing the world why he's one of #TheBest...

🇫🇷 @KMbappe made his second #FIFAWorldCup another one to remember

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) February 26, 2023

Kylian Mbappe also had a wonderful World Cup campaign and his heroics in the final almost saw France retain their World Cup crown. The Frenchman won the Golden Boot in the World Cup with eight goals in eight games while also producing two assists.

The 24-year-old has scored 27 goals and assisted six goals in 28 games this season and scored 39 goals and produced 26 assists in 46 games last season. However, the France international looks destined to miss out on the accolade to his PSG teammate.