Like nine other of his fellow footballers, Marquinhos is nominated for the 2023 Samba d’Or, a prize which rewards the best Brazilian player of the year.
Who will succeed Neymar as winner of the Samba d’Or? The question arises more than ever since the votes are open and the choice is possible between ten candidates. Crowned three years in a row, the “Ney” is still present among the favorites. Alongside him, many Premier League players such as Alisson (Liverpool), Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton (Newcastle), Casemiro (Manchester United), Ederson (Manchester City) and Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal). Real Madrid attackers Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo are also present, as is Marquinhos (PSG), the only defender on this list.
Paris Saint-Germain hastened to put a place on its social networks to allow its supporters to vote in favor of the Parisian captain. The chances of seeing Marquinhos lift the Samba d’Or are, however, practically zero in the face of competition and the track record of some in 2023. This is particularly the case of Ederson, winner of the Champions League with City. As for Neymar, it’s difficult to know what voters will say.
A three-part jury
As a reminder, the title of best Brazilian player of the year is awarded by a jury divided into three parts: a third of Internet users, another made up of a college of eleven “major voters” bringing together stars of Brazilian football, agents, coaches and other managers linked to Auriverde football, and a final third made up of eleven journalists specializing in European football. Winner announced in 41 days.
