IFFHS MEN'S WORLD BEST PLAYMAKER 2023
IFFHS AWARDS 2023 – THE THIRD AWARD FOR DE BRUYNE
After 2020 and 2021, Kevin De Bruyne was again voted by the IFFHS as THE WORLD’S BEST PLAYMAKER 2023 ! His ability and his leadership in the Manchester City team were decisive in his duel with Lionel Messi, who won the IFFHS Playmaker award 5 times.
Bernardo Silva, the teammate of De Bruyne in Manchester City, completed the podium. The two World youth players of the year, Jude Bellingham (4) and Jamal Musiala (6) took place in the World’s Top 6 in the senior category.
De Bruyne succeeded Zinedine Zidane (the first winner in 2006), Kaka, Xavi (4 Awards), Andres Iniesta (2 Awards), Toni Kroos, Lionel Messi (5 Awards) and Luka Modric. With his third Award, Kevin De Bruyne is already number 3 in the historical IFFHS World Playmaker Awards ranking behind Xavi (4) and Lionel Messi (5).
| Rank | Player | Country | Club | Points |
| 1 | Kevin DE BRUYNE | Belgium | Manchester City (England) | 181 |
| 2 | Lionel MESSI | Argentina | PSG/Miami (USA) | 100 |
| 3 | Bernardo SILVA | Portugal | Manchester City (England) | 78 |
| 4 | Jude BELLINGHAM | England | Dortmund/Real Madrid (Spain) | 70 |
| 5 | Martin ODEGAARD | Norway | Arsenal (England) | 18 |
| 6 | Jamal MUSIALA | Germany | FC Bayern München | 17 |
| 7 | Toni KROOS | Germany | Real Madrid (Spain) | 15 |
| 8 | PEDRI | Spain | FC Barcelona | 12 |
| 9 | Federico VALVERDE | Uruguay | Real Madrid (Spain) | 11 |
| 10 | Bruno FERNANDES | Portugal | Manchester United (England) | 10 |
