Lionel Messi may have won the Ballon d’Or once again, but in 2023 football fans witnessed a changing of the guard at the top of the beautiful game.
The next generation of talent ascended to superstardom during 2023, with Erling Haaland breaking goalscoring record after goalscoring record, Jude Bellingham dominating La Liga despite being just 20, and Kylian Mbappe continuing to be Kylian Mbappe (AKA bloody outrageously good at football).
After a significant year of change in the footballing world, we at 90min have decided to rank the 20 best footballers of 2023.
Thanks to his consistently exceptional performances, William Saliba has become one of the best defenders in the world in 2023.
Had he not suffered a season-ending back injury near the end of the 2022/23 campaign, there’s a very good chance he’d be a Premier League champion, too.
Julian Alvarez is 23 years old and has already won 12 major trophies and club and international level.
That is obscene.
What makes it even more obscene is that Alvarez, despite his age, has been a key player in each of those successes.
In 2023 he made vital contributions for Man City on their way to winning the Premier League, FA Cup, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup.
Forking out £100m+ for a player doesn’t always guarantee success for their new club.
But after guiding West Ham to a European trophy in 2022/23, everyone knew Declan Rice would be a surefire hit at Arsenal. Lo and behold, he has been exactly that.
The England international has been mesmerically good at the Emirates Stadium, popping up with crucial goals while providing a consistently solid base to their midfield.
Jamal Musiala has long been touted for superstardom and in 2023 it’s fair to say he began to come good on his potential.
The attacking midfielder was key for Bayern throughout the calendar year and even popped up with a Bundesliga title-winning goal on the final day of the 2022/23 season.
The 20-year-old is on his way to becoming one of the very best footballers in the world.
15 goals and ten assists from the right flank in 2023 tell you all you need to know about Bukayo Saka.
Arsenal’s ‘Starboy’ is the club’s most consistent goal getter and creator…
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