The International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) revealed its annual Men’s World Best Player rankings for 2023, sparking a stir with their placement of Cristiano Ronaldo. Despite a prolific run in Saudi Arabia with Al-Nassr, Ronaldo found himself at a lowly 11th, eight spots behind long-time rival Lionel Messi and outside the coveted top 10. This sparked a reaction from the Portuguese star, who took to social media to express his disapproval with the ranking, simply commenting with a series of laughing emojis.
The top of the IFFHS chart saw Manchester City’s Erling Haaland crowned the world’s best player, a testament to his phenomenal debut season in England. Haaland led City to a historic treble, conquering the UEFA Champions League, Premier League, and FA Cup, establishing himself as a dominant force in world football. Kylian Mbappé, fresh off a fruitful year with Paris Saint-Germain and France, claimed the second spot, somewhat surprisingly edging out Messi, who recently secured his eighth Ballon d’Or.
Further down the rankings, Manchester City’s Rodri secured a respectable fourth place, followed by the rising star of Real Madrid, Jude Bellingham. Kevin De Bruyne, Harry Kane, Bernardo Silva, Vinicius Jr, and Lautaro Martinez rounded out the top 10.
Ronaldo’s 11th place finish evidently rubbed him the wrong way, as his laughing emoji response on social media suggests. However, the prolific forward can take solace in his individual performances: he has amassed an impressive 29 goals in 30 games across all competitions in the 2023-24 season, with 19 of those strikes coming in just 17 Saudi Pro League appearances. He remains a potent force on the pitch, even if his placement on the IFFHS list might not reflect that.
The ranking debate is sure to continue, with opinions divided on the various criteria used to assess player performance. While some prioritize club achievements and individual accolades, others focus on technical ability, influence on the game, and overall consistency. Regardless of where one stands on the Ronaldo ranking, his fiery response further underlines the competitive spirit and unwavering self-belief that continue to drive him.
