20 December 2023 , 11:00
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Kieran Trippier has been named Fans’ Footballer of the Year 2023.
Twelve stars were nominated for Reach PLC's annual award, which was won last year by Trippier’s Newcastle teammate Bruno Guimaraes, with thousands of fans voting to choose their favourite again. The right-back has played an instrumental role in an impressive 2023 for the Magpies, captaining them to a memorable top-four finish last season.
The 33-year-old’s excellent 2023 was enough for him to claim the award ahead of Manchester City goal machine Erling Haaland, who finished second, beating third-placed Jude Bellingham by just three votes. After an exceptional first season in England, Haaland finished the 2022/23 campaign with 52 goals in 53 games and a historic treble win before starting the new season in similar fashion.
He was pipped to this year’s Ballon d’Or award by Argentina’s World Cup-winning captain Lionel Messi and surely would have been on track to lift the trophy had Messi not performed miracles to win his country the trophy in Qatar. Bellingham meanwhile has continued his rapid rise to the top of world football, following his monumental £113m move to Spanish giants Real Madrid from Borussia Dortmund in the summer. A fantastic start in Madrid saw his year capped off with the 2023 Golden Boy award and a growing reputation among the world’s best.
Arsenal ’s Bukayo Saka and previous two-time winner of this award Mohamed Salah wrapped up the top five for the award after impressive respective campaigns in the Premier League once again. Manchester United and England goalkeeper Mary Earps was the highest ranked women’s player on this year’s list, finishing sixth following her performances in the Lionesses ’ run to the Women’s World Cup final in the summer.
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Man City’s Champions League winning goal scorer Rodri followed next after securing the all-important trophy for his side in May, alongside England captain and now-Bayern Munich star Harry Kane following his remarkable exploits for Spurs and since joining the German champions. Chelsea ’s Sam Kerr rounded out the top 10 after starring for the Blues and at a home World Cup in Australia, with Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins and Man City defender John Stones finishing up this year’s list.
Who do you think should have won this year’s award? Let us know in the comments below!