The South Korean ace has bagged the award for the ninth time but this time coming out on top against a more popular candidate, Cristiano Ronaldo
Best Player in Asia Award: Heung Min Son has done it again and for the ninth time! He has been named the Best Footballer in Asia, despite not playing in an Asian domestic league in any of the years he won the award in.
The Spurs captain had to fend off against South Korean compatriot Kim Min Jae and perhaps the most popular candidate in contention for this accolade, none other than Al Nassr’s Cristiano Ronaldo.
It is his seventh year running with his name carved on the gold that makes up this award. He tallied around 22.9% votes in contrast to Kim Min Jae at 19.56% and Cristiano Ronaldo at a surprising 17.06%.
Best player in Asia Award: Should Ronaldo Have won?
See: Shocking: Cristiano Ronaldo is not included in the 10 Best Players of 2023
Best player in Asia Award: Having scored 53 goals in all competitions in 2023, more than any other player, makes the other half of Football’s two greatest of all time a very deserving candidate for the award.
Personal accolades aside, he even bagged some silverware along the way, winning the Arab Club Champions Cup. Whereas Heung Min Son was held back by Tottenham’s persisting curse of trophyless ness.
Kim Min Jae on the other hand also made an exceptionally strong argument in favor of being the winner with his own feats in 2023. Having secured the scudetto with Napoli, it sure makes a very strong case for him.
What does 2024 hold for Ronaldo?
It can be said that 2023 was a transitory or a recovery year for Cristiano Ronaldo. This is because he had a tremendous amount of mental load piling up following the drama that boiled over at Manchester United and the loss of his infant child.
However, there are more positives to look forward to in 2024. Al Nassr are considered a very strong candidate to win the Asian Champions League, and so are his national team side, Portugal who look very well lined up to win the Euros in 2024.
Al Nassr are also doing well in the league, sitting at second in the table, just behind Al Hilal. The title race is slowly gaining more aroma and excitement so do not exclude any potential surprises on this undulating road!
If the ex-Madrid star can secure all these titles coupled with a splendid personal record this year, then that can make him a fitting candidate for the Ballon d’Or, perhaps not the favorite though.
The likes of Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane, and Kylian Mbappe might still have an upper hand if any one of these big names gets their hands on the UCL this year. With that said, what do you think 2024 holds for Ronaldo?
