On Thursday, International Football Federation FIFA announced the nominees for its yearly award ceremony, with the Red Devils' Kevin De Bruyne and Thibaut Courtois battling it out for the awards for Player of the Year and Goalkeeper of the Year, respectively.
Both Belgian players will be looking to start 2023 in style by adding another accolade to their glittering trophy cabinet when they head to the Best FIFA Football Awards ceremony on 27 February.
However, De Bruyne faces the unenviable task of pipping heavy favourite Lionel Messi to the post. The Argentine is seemingly the most likely name on the 14-man shortlist to lift the prize after his recent World Cup win.
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On the other hand, Courtois, who currently plays for Real Madrid, is seen by many to be the favourite for the Goalkeeper of the Year award. He will be facing off against fellow nominees Alisson and Emerson, both from Brazil, as well as the Moroccan keeper Yassine Bounou and Emiliano Martinez from Argentina.
