The most prestigious night in football is upon us! On Monday, FIFA's The Best awards will crown the finest players, coaches, and goals of the 2022-23 season. While Erling Haaland reigns supreme as the men's award favorite, whispers of intrigue swirl around his potential absence – opening the door for Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé. Let's dissect the stats and analyze their claims to the coveted trophy.

Haaland A Treble-Topped Scoring Machine

The Norwegian machine's dominance is undeniable. He smashed through defenses on his way to a Manchester City treble (Champions League, Premier League, and FA Cup), adding the Super Cup against Sevilla for good measure. Individual accolades followed like confetti: European Golden Boot (36 goals), Champions League top scorer (12 goals), and Premier League Player of the Year. Haaland's 53 goals and 9 assists across all competitions speak volumes about his devastating impact.

Messi -Ligue 1 Laureate and Leagues Cup Mastermind

Despite a quiet World Cup, Messi's club magic shines bright. He lifted the Ligue 1 title with PSG (16 goals, 16 assists), then hopped across the Atlantic to conquer the Leagues Cup with Inter Miami. La Pulga claimed MVP and top scorer honors in this American triumph, adding 21 goals and 20 assists to his overall season tally.

Mbappé- Ligue 1's Top Gun

The Parisian prodigy proved his star power by dominating Ligue 1, winning the title and claiming the top scorer crown (29 goals). While Mbappé might lack team trophies compared to his rivals, his individual brilliance remains undeniable.

Who Deserves the Crown?

Haaland's sheer volume of goals and silverware puts him in the pole position. But his potential absence sparks the debate. Messi's trophies on two continents and Mbappé's raw scoring prowess offer compelling alternatives. Ultimately, the decision rests with the voting panel, composed of national team captains, coaches, journalists, and fans.

A Glimpse into Other Categories

Best Coach: Pep Guardiola, architect of City's treble, is favored over Champions League finalist Simone Inzaghi and Scudetto winner Luciano Spalletti.

Best Goalkeeper: Ederson (Man City), Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid), and Yassine Bono (Sevilla-Al-Hilal) battle for the gloves.

Puskas Award: Three spectacular goals – Guilherme Madruga's bicycle kick, Nuno Santos' rabona, and Julio Enciso's long-range rocket – vie for the Puskas glory.

The Best vs. Ballon d'Or

While both awards celebrate football's finest, their voting systems diverge. The Best involves FIFA experts, national team captains and coaches, journalists, and fans. The Ballon d'Or, awarded by "France Football," relies solely on a jury of journalists.

A Night of Anticipation

With compelling cases for each contender, Monday's ceremony promises to be a nail-biter. Will Haaland's trophy haul clinch it? Can Messi's continental conquests sway the vote? Or will Mbappé's youthful exuberance prevail? Tune in to witness football's elite gather for a night of recognition and, most importantly, celebrate the beautiful game.

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img via: AFP