Best Footballer in Asia 2023

The Best Footballer in Asia 2023, recognizing the best male footballer in Asia in 2023, was the 11th edition of the Best Footballer in Asia. Son Heung-min claimed the award on 15 January 2024. It was his seventh Best Footballer in Asia title in a row, and eighth title overall. The event was judged by a panel of sixty-three sports journalists. Son received 17 first-place votes, 24 second-place votes, 7 third-place votes, 5 fourth-place votes, 2 fifth-place votes and finished on 231 points in total.

Voting

63 judges were invited to vote, including 42 representatives from AFC nations/regions which comprise Afghanistan, Australia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Chinese Taipei, Guam，Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Japan, Jordan, Laos，Korea Republic, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Macao, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkmenistan, United Arabic Emirates, Uzbekistan, Vietnam and Yemen. The other twenty jurors were independent Asian football experts or from high-profile media outlets. Before voting, all judges were given a 25-player shortlist, but could choose other eligible players.

Rules

Each juror selected their five best footballers and awarded them five, four, three, two and one point respectively from their first choice to the fifth choice. A trophy for the Best Footballer in Asia was awarded to the player with the highest total of points.

Tiebreakers

When two or more candidates obtained the same points, the rankings of the concerned candidates was based upon the following criteria in order:

• a) The number of first-place vote obtained
• b) The number of second-place vote obtained
• c) The number of third-place vote obtained
• d) The number of fourth-place vote obtained

If all conditions were equal, the concerned candidates tied.

If the concerned candidates were tied for first place, the award and the trophy were shared.

Ranking

Source:

References

1. Best Footballer in Asia 2022
2. Best Footballer in Asia
3. 2023 AFC Asian Cup
4. Best Footballer in Asia 2016
5. The Best FIFA Football Awards 2023
6. Asian Footballer of the Year
7. AFC Asian Cup
8. Football at the 2022 Asian Games
9. Son Heung-min
10. India national football team
11. 2023 AFC Asian Cup qualification
12. 2022 Asian Games
13. India national football team at the Asian Games
14. Syed Abdul Rahim
15. 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification
16. The Best FIFA Football Awards 2022
17. Kim Min-jae (footballer)
18. AFC Champions League Elite
19. AirAsia
20. 2027 AFC Asian Cup