UEFA has revealed the shortlist for the Best UEFA Player of the Year for 22-23, featuring three standout stars: Kevin De Bruyne, Erling Haaland, and Lionel Messi. The two Manchester City midfield maestro and attacker, along with the former Barcelona and current Inter Miami veteran, are in the running for an accolade to be handed over in Monte Carlo on August 31. The finalists’ performances across domestic leagues and European competition have shaped a year that captivated fans in Canada and the United States just as much as anywhere else.
These selections reflect a season where every match counted, with players balancing duties for their clubs and their national teams as European football roared through a demanding schedule. For fans in North America, the narrative was clear: the balance of elite club success and international duty amplified the drama and the stakes around each decision made on the pitch.
The merits of the finalists
De Bruyne and Haaland enjoyed an extraordinary campaign with Manchester City, lifting the Premier League, the FA Cup, and the coveted Champions League as part of Pep Guardiola’s engineering of a record-breaking machine. Haaland’s goal tally exceeded fifty, a beacon of consistency, while De Bruyne’s goals and assists formed the engine that drove City into a historic run of successes. For followers in Canada and the United States, the duo exemplified a modern, high-precision style that translated well across continents, making every Premier League moment feel like it mattered globally.
Both players also faced moments that did not define their entire year. De Bruyne’s World Cup experience with Belgium was quieter than hoped, and Haaland missed Norway’s World Cup appearance due to the team not qualifying. Still, the overall impact of their club performances overshadowed these quieter moments on the international stage.
Messi’s year at PSG showed signs of resurgence. He posted 16 goals and 16 assists, contributing heavily to PSG’s Ligue 1 title triumph. Yet the European campaign ended earlier than expected as PSG were eliminated in the Champions League by Bayern Munich. With the World Cup in Qatar shaping the narrative, Messi’s year gained another layer of significance for fans across North America who followed him closely with great interest. In a World Cup year, such achievements carry substantial weight, and Messi’s seven goals in the tournament underscored his enduring influence on the global stage.
As anticipation builds for the Monte Carlo ceremony, many observers expect Messi to garner strong support given the World Cup performance. The interplay between club excellence and international success continues to be a defining factor in how these awards are perceived, particularly for fans in Canada and the United States who have long-followed Messi, De Bruyne, and Haaland through multiple leagues and competitions.
In two weeks, Monte Carlo will settle the questions surrounding the finalists’ ultimate ranking.
This is how the rest of the ranking remains
4. Ilkay Gündogan (Germany and Manchester City) – 129 points
5. Rodri (Spain and Manchester City) – 110 points
6. Kylian Mbappé (France and PSG) – 82 points
7. Luka Modrić (Croatia and Real Madrid) – 33 points
8. Marcelo Brozović (Croatia and Inter) – 20 points
9. Declan Rice (England and West Ham) – 14 points
10. Alexis Mac Allister (Argentina and Brighton) – 12 points
Coach the finalists
The three coaches in the running for Best UEFA Coach are Pep Guardiola, Inter’s Simone Inzaghi, and Napoli’s Luciano Spalletti. Each has guided their teams through a demanding season, earning respect for tactical ingenuity and leadership that resonated with fans across North America watching every weekend and midweek clash.
NOMINATES: UEFA Men’s Coach of the Year 2022/23 ✨
Pep Guardiola Simone Inzaghi Luciano Spalletti
All awards will be announced during the UCL Draw on August 31, 2023. (Goal)
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