The captain of the France team and figurehead of Paris Saint-Germain, already elected in 2019, 2021 and 2022 (no ceremony in 2020, Covid year), is competing with his partner Lionel Messi, the Lensois Seko Fofana and Loïs Openda and the Lille Jonathan David.
Mbappé is also well placed for a fifth Ligue 1 top scorer title, a series that would allow him to equal Jean-Pierre Papin, crowned from 1988 to 1992.
Haise, the technician of the Blood and Gold, is also favorite for a first title, thanks to the quality of the offensive game of his team, brilliant second behind the powerful PSG.
To succeed the Rennes Bruno Genesio, who is not in the top 5, like the probable champion of France Christophe Galtier, the Lensois is notably opposed to the Croatian Igor Tudor and his very physically demanding game at Olympique de Marseille or the coach of the promoted Toulouse, winner of the Coupe de France, Philippe Montanier.
Lens coach Franck Haise, during a match in Lorient, May 21, 2023 © JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER / AFP/Archives
Public vote for the most beautiful goal
For the other winners of its awards given by the National Union of Players (UNFP), designated by the votes of their peers, the competition seems more open.
At the Espoirs, Montpellier striker Elye Wahi has his chances ahead of Paris' Nuno Mendes or Lyon's Bradley Barcola and Rayan Cherki, to take back the trophy won by William Saliba last season.
The ceremony at the Gabriel Pavilion, on the Champs-Élysées, must also crown the best goalkeeper of the Championship.
The Italian of Paris Gianluigi Donnarumma is in the race to retain his title, competing with the irremovable Anthony Lopes (OL) and the northerners Lucas Chevalier (Losc) and Brice Samba (Lens).
In the women's category, the trophy should not escape a Parisian, Kadidiatou Diani or Grace Geyoro, or a Lyonnais Delphine Cascarino.
The UNFP must also appoint the brightest French abroad - Karim Benzema in 2022 - and the best player, goalkeeper and coach of Ligue 2, the best referees by division and the typical teams of L1 and L2.
A public vote will determine the two most beautiful goals of the season, in the elite and in its antechamber. Finally, the UNFP, the day after the 37th and penultimate day of Ligue 1, will award a special "citizen player" prize for the work of a L1 player, after Mamadou Sakho in 2022 for his association Amsak.
The five nominees per category
Best player of L1: Jonathan David (Losc), Seko Fofana (Lens), Kylian Mbappé (PSG), Lionel Messi (PSG) and Loïs Openda (Lens).
Best goalkeeper in L1: Lucas Chevalier (Losc), Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG), Pau Lopez (OM), Anthony Lopes (OL) and Brice Samba (Lens)
Best coach of L1: Paulo Fonseca (Losc), Pascal Gastien (Clermont), Franck Haise (Lens), Philippe Montanier (Toulouse) and Igor Tudor (OM).
Best Hope of L1: Bradley Barcola (OL), Eliesse Ben Seghir (Monaco), Rayan Cherki (OL), Nuno Mendes (PSG) and Elye Wahi (Montpellier).
Best player of L2: Jean-Philippe Krasso (ASSE), Victor Lekhal (HAC), Josh Maja (Bordeaux), Georges Mikautadze (Metz) and Niels Nkounkou (ASSE).
Best Women's D1 player: Delphine Cascarino (OL), Kadidiatou Diani (PSG), Melchie Dumornay (Reims), Grace Geyoro (PSG) and Rosemonde Kouassi (Fleury 91).
© 2023 AFP