What are you waiting for? It’s time to share your voice in football’s only fan-driven vote to decide the world’s best player.
The GOAL50 is back in action. Almost a year after Lionel Messi captured a record sixth win, he again finds himself in the running against the game’s elite in a fresh battle for the top spot. Messi’s legacy continues to be a talking point, but the field remains crowded with world-class talent ready to stake their claim as the best on the planet.
In this edition, Messi faces strong competition from some of the sport’s brightest names. Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior, and Mohamed Salah headline a lineup that showcases the depth of talent across the sport. The GOAL50 poll is a fan-led event, meaning the final result reflects the opinions of supporters around the world who live and breathe these players’ performances on a weekly basis.
GOAL has once again identified the 50 leading male and 50 leading female footballers based on the standout performances from the most recent season. The goal is to present a broad, representative snapshot of excellence across leagues and competitions, while leaving room for personal favorites and surprising rises in form. The emphasis remains on recent achievements, consistency, and impact in both domestic campaigns and continental showdowns, making the selection meaningful to fans and analysts alike.
Fans are invited to participate in a matchup-filled voting experience. A large number of pairings are generated from the pool of nominees, with thousands of combinations across the categories. The principle is simple: vote for the player you believe most deserves the title, and the tally of votes determines the winners of GOAL50 for 2023. The process is transparent and designed to reflect the momentum built across the season. The more a player resonates with fans through goals, assists, leadership, and memorable moments, the stronger their case becomes in this public ballot.
Voting windows will run from X to Y, with exact dates to be confirmed. As a new feature this year, there is a prize draw open to all participants, adding an extra layer of excitement to the campaign and rewarding fans for their engagement. The organizers encourage fans to participate across all eligible regions, recognizing the global reach of the sport and the diverse fan bases that keep the game thriving year after year.
So, what are you waiting for? Review the list of 50 nominees for the men’s category, take a moment to reflect on the season’s standout moments, and cast your vote on this page. The decision rests in the hands of the global football community, united by one shared passion: celebrating the best players who elevated the game during the latest campaign.