The federation of International Football Association,  has unveiled the final shortlist for its prestigious Best Men’s Player award, featuring three exceptional football talents: Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, and Erling Haaland.

This selection follows the initial release of a 12-player nominee list in September, with the ultimate three candidates determined by an international jury.

The jury comprises men’s national team coaches and captains, journalists, and fans who participated in the voting process on FIFA’s official website.

Lionel Messi, the reigning champion from 2022, is eager to retain the title after leading Argentina to World Cup victory and achieving success with Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1 before making a move to Inter Miami.

Kylian Mbappe, a finalist in this race, played a crucial role in leading France to the finals in Qatar and contributed significantly to PSG’s top-flight title.

Erling Haaland, the third contender, left an indelible mark during Manchester City’s dominant 2022/23 season.

He secured a remarkable treble and set multiple records with an impressive tally of 52 goals across all competitions, including a groundbreaking 36 in the Premier League, establishing a new single-season record.

Notably, Messi had previously secured the Best Men’s Player award in 2022, breaking the consecutive wins streak of Robert Lewandowski in 2020 and 2021.