Will Messi and Barcelona Stars Secure FIFA The Best Awards? Find Out Here
Several Barcelona players and managers have been nominated for the 2023 FIFA The Best awards, and their chances of winning vary. Let’s assess their likelihood of claiming these prestigious accolades.
- Xavi Hernandez: Unlikely to win. While Xavi led Barcelona to an impressive La Liga campaign last season, the clear favorite among the nominees is Pep Guardiola, who guided Manchester City to a treble.
- Ilkay Gundogan: Unlikely to win The Best Player award. Erling Haaland is the front-runner for this honor, given his remarkable goal-scoring performances last season. Additionally, Leo Messi’s nomination doesn’t take into account his 2022 World Cup success.
- Marc-Andre ter Stegen: Best-positioned among Barcelona stars to win an award. His competitors for The Best Goalkeeper award include Andre Onana, Thibaut Courtois, Yassine Bounou, and Ederson. Since World Cup achievements aren’t considered for this award, only Ederson may pose a significant challenge, thanks to his Champions League triumph. Nevertheless, Ter Stegen stood out in many goalkeeper statistics across Europe.
- Aitana Bonmati: Expected to win an award. Aitana Bonmati from the Barcelona Femeni team is likely to claim another award, considering her consistent performances and contributions.
The FIFA The Best ceremony is scheduled for early 2024, and it will be interesting to see which Barcelona representatives emerge as winners.
