2023 is about to end and it seems that we will see less and less of the two monsters that have dominated soccer for the last two decades. Both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are now entering the final phase of their careers, and while they remain true great players and established legends, the reality is that the elite of soccer is now in the hands of the next generation.
Today's world soccer has new stars who are poised to become the next legends, and 2023 has been the perfect showcase for them to make a name for themselves now that both Ronaldo and Messi have left European soccer. In that sense, this has been the year of consecration for young players like Erling Haaland. The Norwegian striker deserved, for many, to win the Ballon d'Or this year as he broke the record for most goals in a single Premier League season and won it all with Manchester City.
Another who also shone brightly this year was Kylian Mbappé. The French striker has become one of the best players in the world and no one can question it. His enormous talent has led him to be the bone of contention between PSG and Real Madrid and no doubt next year we will again hear hundreds of rumors about his destination, but that is what causes him to be, perhaps, the most sought-after player in the world today.
Of course we can't forget to talk about Jude Bellingham, who has been the most surprising player of 2023 after signing with Real Madrid. Many criticized the merengue board for paying 103 million euros for him this summer. However, the young English midfielder has shown that this price could even be considered a real bargain, taking into account that he has been the team's most outstanding player and is on his way to becoming an idol of the club. However, there is another young player who has managed to claim one of the most impressive records that, so far, no one has been able to achieve.
Julian Alvarez takes the 2023
The 23-year-old Argentine striker Julian Alvarez has had a 2023 full of joy. He has been one of the key players to Manchester City's success and has managed to do something that not even Lionel Messi himself has been able to do. Alvarez is the first Argentine player in history to win the World Cup, Copa America, Champions League, Copa Libertadores and Club World Cup.
