As we approach 2023, the question on everyone's mind is who will be the world's best footballer? With debates, predictions, and tons of speculation from football experts, fans are eager to know who has the best chances of claiming the coveted title by 2023.
Analyzing the performances of today's top footballers is the best way to predict who will be crowned the best player in 2023. Take special note of passing accuracy, ball control and dribbling abilities, shooting accuracy, game intelligence, goal-scoring abilities, defensive capabilities, and general athletic performance. These factors are all essential when determining a player's overall level of skill and potential as a world-class footballer.
Who the best football player in the world 2023? We will evaluate the world's top legendary football players, each of them is recognised by fans as the finest footballer in the world at this moment.
Players | Goals | ||
1 | ![]() ![]() |
Erling Haaland Penalty goals: 6 | 42 |
2 | ![]() ![]() |
Kylian Mbappé Penalty goals: 3 | 31 |
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Enner Valencia Penalty goals: 9 | 25 |
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Henry Martin Penalty goals: 4 | 24 |
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Chuba Akpom Penalty goals: 3 | 24 |
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Marcus Rashford Penalty goals: 1 | 24 |
7 | ![]() ![]() |
João Mário Penalty goals: 12 | 23 |
8 | ![]() ![]() |
Harry Kane Penalty goals: 4 | 23 |
9 | ![]() ![]() |
Victor Osimhen Penalty goals: 0 | 23 |
10 | ![]() ![]() |
Robert Lewandowski Penalty goals: 0 | 22 |
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Jonathan David Penalty goals: 7 | 21 |
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Alexandre Lacazette Penalty goals: 4 | 21 |
13 | ![]() ![]() |
Fo-Doh Laba Penalty goals: 3 | 21 |
14 | ![]() ![]() |
Omer Atzili Penalty goals: 7 | 20 |
15 | ![]() ![]() |
Walid Cheddira Penalty goals: 6 | 20 |
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Wissam Ben Yedder Penalty goals: 5 | 20 |
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Nicolás Ibañez Penalty goals: 3 | 20 |
18 | ![]() ![]() |
Mohamed Salah Penalty goals: 1 | 20 |
19 | ![]() ![]() |
Kyogo Furuhashi Penalty goals: 0 | 20 |
20 | ![]() ![]() |
Lawrence Shankland Penalty goals: 9 | 19 |
21 | ![]() ![]() |
Myrto Uzuni Penalty goals: 6 | 19 |
22 | ![]() ![]() |
Santiago Giménez Penalty goals: 4 | 19 |
23 | ![]() ![]() |
Hugo Cuypers Penalty goals: 4 | 19 |
24 | ![]() ![]() |
Gonçalo Ramos Penalty goals: 0 | 19 |
25 | ![]() ![]() |
Tim Kleindienst Penalty goals: 0 | 19 |
26 | ![]() ![]() |
Nathan Tella Penalty goals: 0 | 19 |
27 | ![]() ![]() |
Ali Mabkhout Penalty goals: 10 | 18 |
28 | ![]() ![]() |
Jamie MacLaren Penalty goals: 7 | 18 |
29 | ![]() ![]() |
Mehdi Taremi Penalty goals: 4 | 18 |
30 | ![]() ![]() |
Dylan Vente Penalty goals: 4 | 18 |
The world goal rating for 2023 features Erling Haaland in 1st place. He appeared for the Premier League on 26 times occasions during the 2023 football season, totaling 2120 minutes.
Erling Haaland scored 27 goals for Manchester City. He procured 5 assists. He received 5 yellow cards and no red cards.
His team is currently 2nd in Premier League. In the last match Manchester City won 6-0 against Burnley. The next match in Premier League will be against Liverpool.
The last time the teams played each other, the score was 6-0 for Manchester City.
In 2023, Kylian Mbappé is ranked 2nd in the world in goal scoring. He appeared in the Ligue 1 24 times times for a total of 1922 minutes this season.
Kylian Mbappé scored 17 goals for Paris Saint Germain. He procured 4 assists. He received 3 yellow cards and no red cards.
His team is currently 1st in Ligue 1. In the last match Paris Saint Germain lost 2-0 against Rennes. The next match in Ligue 1 will be against Olympique Lyonnais.
The last time the teams played each other, the score was 2-0 for Rennes.
Enner Valencia has 3rd rank in the world goal ranking in 2023. This football season he played in total 21 times for 1516 minutes for Super Lig.
Enner Valencia scored 24 goals for Fenerbahçe. He procured 3 assists. He received 3 yellow cards and 1 red card.
His team is currently 2nd in Super Lig. In the last match Fenerbahçe drew 2-2 against Zenit. The next match in Super Lig will be against Shkupi.
The last time the teams played each other, it was a draw 2-2.
The world goal rating for 2023 features Henry Martín in 4th place. He appeared for the Liga MX on 33 times occasions during the 2023 football season, totaling 2438 minutes.
Henry Martín scored 23 goals for América. He procured 10 assists. He received 2 yellow cards and no red cards.
His team is currently 3rd in Liga MX. In the last match América won 4-2 against Guadalajara. The next match in Liga MX will be against Los Angeles FC.
The last time the teams played each other, the score was 4-2 for América.
Chuba Akpom has 5th rank in the world goal ranking in 2023. This football season he played in total 31 times for 2495 minutes for Championship.
Chuba Akpom scored 24 goals for Middlesbrough. He procured one assist. He received 3 yellow cards and no red cards.
His team is currently 3rd in Championship. In the last match Middlesbrough won 4-0 against Preston North End. The next match in Championship will be against Huddersfield Town.
The last time the teams played each other, the score was 4-0 for Middlesbrough.
In 2023, Marcus Rashford is ranked 6th in the world in goal scoring. He appeared in the Premier League 26 times times for a total of 2134 minutes this season.
Marcus Rashford scored 14 goals for Manchester United. He procured 3 assists. He received 2 yellow cards and no red cards.
His team is currently 3rd in Premier League. In the last match Manchester United won 3-1 against Fulham. The next match in Premier League will be against Newcastle United.
The last time the teams played each other, the score was 3-1 for Manchester United.
The world goal rating for 2023 features João Mário in 7th place. He appeared for the Liga Portugal on 24 times occasions during the 2023 football season, totaling 1933 minutes.
João Mário scored 15 goals for Benfica. He procured 5 assists. He received 3 yellow cards and no red cards.
His team is currently 1st in Liga Portugal. In the last match Benfica won 5-1 against Vitória SC. The next match in Liga Portugal will be against Rio Ave.
The last time the teams played each other, the score was 5-1 for Benfica.
In 2023, Harry Kane is ranked 8th in the world in goal scoring. He appeared in the Premier League 28 times times for a total of 2508 minutes this season.
Harry Kane scored 20 goals for Tottenham Hotspur. He procured twice assists. He received 3 yellow cards and no red cards.
His team is currently 4th in Premier League. In the last match Tottenham Hotspur drew 3-3 against Southampton. The next match in Premier League will be against Everton.
The last time the teams played each other, it was a draw 3-3.
Victor Osimhen has 9th rank in the world goal ranking in 2023. This football season he played in total 23 times for 1914 minutes for Serie A.
Victor Osimhen scored 21 goals for Napoli. He procured 4 assists. He received 4 yellow cards and no red cards.
His team is currently 1st in Serie A. In the last match Napoli won 4-0 against Torino. The next match in Serie A will be against Milan.
The last time the teams played each other, the score was 4-0 for Napoli.
The world goal rating for 2023 features Robert Lewandowski in 10th place. He appeared for the La Liga on 22 times occasions during the 2023 football season, totaling 1772 minutes.
Robert Lewandowski scored 14 goals for FC Barcelona. He procured 4 assists. He received 1 yellow card and no red cards.
His team is currently 1st in La Liga. In the last match FC Barcelona won 2-1 against Real Madrid. The next match in La Liga will be against Elche.
The last time the teams played each other, the score was 2-1 for FC Barcelona.
Jonathan David has 11th rank in the world goal ranking in 2023. This football season he played in total 27 times for 2293 minutes for Ligue 1.
Jonathan David scored 18 goals for Lille. He procured 3 assists. He received 3 yellow cards and no red cards.
His team is currently 6th in Ligue 1. In the last match Lille won 2-0 against Toulouse. The next match in Ligue 1 will be against Lorient.
The last time the teams played each other, the score was 2-0 for Lille.
In 2023, Alexandre Lacazette is ranked 12th in the world in goal scoring. He appeared in the Ligue 1 25 times times for a total of 2058 minutes this season.
Alexandre Lacazette scored 16 goals for Olympique Lyonnais. He procured 4 assists. He received 2 yellow cards and no red cards.
His team is currently 10th in Ligue 1. In the last match Olympique Lyonnais drew 1-1 against Nantes. The next match in Ligue 1 will be against Paris Saint Germain.
The last time the teams played each other, it was a draw 1-1.
The world goal rating for 2023 features Fo-Doh Kodjo Laba in 13th place. He appeared for the Uae League on 20 times occasions during the 2023 football season, totaling 1778 minutes.
Fo-Doh Kodjo Laba scored 18 goals for Al Ain. He procured 6 assists. He received 2 yellow cards and no red cards.
His team is currently 2nd in Uae League. In the last match Al Ain lost 1-0 against Al Nasr. The next match in Uae League will be against Shabab Al Ahli Dubai.
The last time the teams played each other, the score was 1-0 for Al Nasr.
In 2023, Omer Atzili is ranked 14th in the world in goal scoring. He appeared in the Ligat ha'Al 26 times times for a total of 1955 minutes this season.
Omer Atzili scored 17 goals for Maccabi Haifa. He procured 6 assists. He received 3 yellow cards and no red cards.
His team is currently 2nd in Ligat ha'Al. In the last match Maccabi Haifa won 2-1 against Ashdod. The next match in Ligat ha'Al will be against Hapoel Be'er Sheva.
The last time the teams played each other, the score was 2-1 for Maccabi Haifa.
Walid Cheddira has 15th rank in the world goal ranking in 2023. This football season he played in total 23 times for 1963 minutes for Serie B.
Walid Cheddira scored 14 goals for Bari 1908. He procured 5 assists. He received 2 yellow cards and no red cards.
His team is currently 4th in Serie B. In the last match Bari 1908 lost 1-0 against Ternana. The next match in Serie B will be against Benevento.
The last time the teams played each other, the score was 1-0 for Ternana.
The world goal rating for 2023 features Wissam Ben Yedder in 16th place. He appeared for the Ligue 1 on 24 times occasions during the 2023 football season, totaling 1478 minutes.
Wissam Ben Yedder scored 16 goals for Monaco. He procured 4 assists. He received 2 yellow cards and no red cards.
His team is currently 4th in Ligue 1. In the last match Monaco won 2-0 against Ajaccio. The next match in Ligue 1 will be against Strasbourg.
The last time the teams played each other, the score was 2-0 for Monaco.
Nicolás Ibáñez has 17th rank in the world goal ranking in 2023. This football season he played in total 33 times for 2532 minutes for Liga MX.
Nicolás Ibáñez scored 17 goals for Tigres UANL. He procured one assist. He received 3 yellow cards and no red cards.
His team is currently 6th in Liga MX. In the last match Tigres UANL lost 1-0 against Monterrey. The next match in Liga MX will be against Toluca.
The last time the teams played each other, the score was 1-0 for Monterrey.
In 2023, Mohamed Salah is ranked 18th in the world in goal scoring. He appeared in the Premier League 26 times times for a total of 2319 minutes this season.
Mohamed Salah scored 11 goals for Liverpool. He procured 6 assists. He received 1 yellow card and no red cards.
His team is currently 6th in Premier League. In the last match Liverpool lost 1-0 against Real Madrid. The next match in Premier League will be against Manchester City.
The last time the teams played each other, the score was 1-0 for Real Madrid.
The world goal rating for 2023 features Kyogo Furuhashi in 19th place. He appeared for the Premiership on 27 times occasions during the 2023 football season, totaling 1806 minutes.
Kyogo Furuhashi scored 19 goals for Celtic. He procured one assist. He received 2 yellow cards and no red cards.
His team is currently 1st in Premiership. In the last match Celtic won 3-1 against Hibernian. The next match in Premiership will be against Ross County.
The last time the teams played each other, the score was 3-1 for Celtic.
In 2023, Lawrence Shankland is ranked 20th in the world in goal scoring. He appeared in the Premiership 28 times times for a total of 2241 minutes this season.
Lawrence Shankland scored 16 goals for Hearts. He procured twice assists. He received 4 yellow cards and no red cards.
His team is currently 3rd in Premiership. In the last match Hearts lost 3-0 against Aberdeen. The next match in Premiership will be against Kilmarnock.
The last time the teams played each other, the score was 3-0 for Aberdeen.
Myrto Uzuni has 21st rank in the world goal ranking in 2023. This football season he played in total 29 times for 2232 minutes for La Liga 2.
Myrto Uzuni scored 18 goals for Granada. He procured 3 assists. He received 5 yellow cards and no red cards.
His team is currently 2nd in La Liga 2. In the last match Granada won 1-0 against Real Oviedo. The next match in La Liga 2 will be against Sporting Gijón.
The last time the teams played each other, the score was 1-0 for Granada.
The world goal rating for 2023 features Santiago Giménez in 22nd place. He appeared for the Eredivisie on 24 times occasions during the 2023 football season, totaling 1242 minutes.
Santiago Giménez scored 7 goals for Feyenoord. He procured no assists. He received 1 yellow card and no red cards.
His team is currently 1st in Eredivisie. In the last match Feyenoord won 3-2 against Ajax. The next match in Eredivisie will be against København.
The last time the teams played each other, the score was 3-2 for Feyenoord.
Hugo Cuypers has 23rd rank in the world goal ranking in 2023. This football season he played in total 29 times for 2332 minutes for Pro League.
Hugo Cuypers scored 16 goals for Gent. He procured 4 assists. He received 1 yellow card and no red cards.
His team is currently 4th in Pro League. In the last match Gent won 3-0 against AS Eupen. The next match in Pro League will be against SC Heerenveen.
The last time the teams played each other, the score was 3-0 for Gent.
In 2023, Gonçalo Ramos is ranked 24th in the world in goal scoring. He appeared in the Liga Portugal 21 times times for a total of 1633 minutes this season.
Gonçalo Ramos scored 15 goals for Benfica. He procured twice assists. He received 2 yellow cards and no red cards.
His team is currently 1st in Liga Portugal. In the last match Benfica won 5-1 against Vitória SC. The next match in Liga Portugal will be against Rio Ave.
The last time the teams played each other, the score was 5-1 for Benfica.
The world goal rating for 2023 features Tim Kleindienst in 25th place. He appeared for the 2. Bundesliga on 23 times occasions during the 2023 football season, totaling 2029 minutes.
Tim Kleindienst scored 19 goals for Heidenheim. He procured 5 assists. He received 7 yellow cards and no red cards.
His team is currently 2nd in 2. Bundesliga. In the last match Heidenheim won 5-2 against Karlsruher SC. The next match in 2. Bundesliga will be against Kaiserslautern.
The last time the teams played each other, the score was 5-2 for Heidenheim.
In 2023, Nathan Tella is ranked 26th in the world in goal scoring. He appeared in the Championship 34 times times for a total of 2207 minutes this season.
Nathan Tella scored 16 goals for Burnley. He procured 3 assists. He received 4 yellow cards and no red cards.
His team is currently 1st in Championship. In the last match Burnley lost 6-0 against Manchester City. The next match in Championship will be against Sunderland.
The last time the teams played each other, the score was 6-0 for Manchester City.
Ali Ahmed Mabkhout Mohsen Omran Al Hajeri has 27th rank in the world goal ranking in 2023. This football season he played in total 19 times for 1710 minutes for Uae League.
Ali Ahmed Mabkhout Mohsen Omran Al Hajeri scored 16 goals for Al Jazira. He procured 4 assists. He received 2 yellow cards and no red cards.
His team is currently 6th in Uae League. In the last match Al Jazira drew 1-1 against Ajman. The next match in Uae League will be against Al Wasl.
The last time the teams played each other, it was a draw 1-1.
The world goal rating for 2023 features Jamie MacLaren in 28th place. He appeared for the A-League on 20 times occasions during the 2023 football season, totaling 1785 minutes.
Jamie MacLaren scored 15 goals for Melbourne City. He procured one assist. He received 1 yellow card and no red cards.
His team is currently 1st in A-League. In the last match Melbourne City drew 1-1 against Macarthur. The next match in A-League will be against Newcastle Jets.
The last time the teams played each other, it was a draw 1-1.
Mehdi Taremi has 29th rank in the world goal ranking in 2023. This football season he played in total 25 times for 1940 minutes for Liga Portugal.
Mehdi Taremi scored 12 goals for Porto. He procured 3 assists. He received 4 yellow cards and no red cards.
His team is currently 2nd in Liga Portugal. In the last match Porto drew 0-0 against Sporting Braga. The next match in Liga Portugal will be against Portimonense.
The last time the teams played each other, it was a draw 0-0.
In 2023, Dylan Vente is ranked 30th in the world in goal scoring. He appeared in the Eerste Divisie 30 times times for a total of 2643 minutes this season.
Dylan Vente scored 14 goals for Roda JC Kerkrade. He procured 5 assists. He received 1 yellow card and no red cards.
His team is currently 10th in Eerste Divisie. In the last match Roda JC Kerkrade drew 1-1 against VVV-Venlo. The next match in Eerste Divisie will be against Jong PSV.
The last time the teams played each other, it was a draw 1-1.
The best players in football history are Cristiano Ronaldo (Al-Nassr FC), Lionel Messi (PSG), Mohamed Salah (Liverpool), Kylian Mbappe (PSG), Sadio Mane (Bayern Munich), Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), Harry Kane (Tottenham).
It's also important to consider the potential of upcoming footballers that could blossom into top contenders for the world's best player award by 2023. Pay attention to which young players have a high ceiling, as they could reach new heights of success if they receive proper coaching and support during their formative years. By focusing on a mix of current stars and high talent prospects, you can make a more informed guess as to who will take home the crown in 2023.
As the years progress leading up to 2023, it's important to pay attention to any potential changes in team dynamics that could potentially make or break an athlete's success. Football clubs have their own unique culture, style, and ambitions - all of which can play a big role in shaping the habits and mindsets of players. By seeing how coaches handle different player scenarios now and how organizations formulate season plans in upcoming years, you can start to gather insight into who is likely to emerge as the world's best football player by 2023.
Pre-season signings and trades can play a major role in determining which players will be at the top of their game come 2023. Keeping up with news from different club websites, magazines, and sports programs will provide valuable information on who will be joining new teams or moving to new locations. Knowing what to expect from each of these changes gives you insight into which factors are likely to push certain players ahead in terms of skill, experience, and overall success when the time comes for measuring who's been crowned the world's best football player.
Evaluating the achievements and awards each player has garnered over the last few years in their respective leagues is a great way to understand who may be in contention for the top spot come 2023. Pay close attention to any awards or titles forbest team player, most goals, most assists, best defensive football footballer, etc. as these can help you determine who is serious about consistently delivering high-performance gameplay. Additionally, look at the statistics of different players to identify incremental improvements they might have made that could hypothetically lead them to success come game-time in 2023.