Messi and Bonmati Clinch FIFA’s Best Player Awards for 2023

In a surprising turn of events, Lionel Messi was controversially named FIFA’s Best Men’s Player for 2023, securing the award for the third time. Despite stiff competition, Messi emerged victorious ahead of Erling Haaland, capping an otherwise triumphant night for Manchester City. The award, covering the period from Messi’s World Cup triumph with Argentina in December 2022 to August 2023, acknowledged his contributions to Paris Saint-Germain and later Inter Miami in MLS.

Messi’s win sparked debates, especially given Haaland’s prolific debut season with Manchester City, where he scored 52 goals and secured a treble of Champions League, Premier League, and FA Cup victories. Despite both players receiving equal points, Messi clinched the honor due to more first-choice nominations. Kylian Mbappe, Messi’s former club teammate, secured the third spot. However, none of the finalists attended the ceremony, leaving Thierry Henry to accept the award on Messi’s behalf.

Aitana Bonmati’s selection as the Best Women’s Player was a foregone conclusion, completing a clean sweep of personal awards after her pivotal role in Spain’s World Cup win and Barcelona’s Champions League triumph in 2023. The 25-year-old, who also won the Ballon d’Or, Golden Ball, and UEFA’s Player of the Year, expressed pride in being part of a transformative generation of women athletes.

Pep Guardiola was named the Best Coach after guiding Manchester City to their first-ever Champions League title. The Team of the Year featured six City players, including Kyle Walker, John Stones, Ruben Dias, Bernardo Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, and Haaland. Real Madrid’s Thibaut Courtois, Jude Bellingham, and Vinicius Junior, along with Messi and Mbappe, rounded up the XI. Ederson won the Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year, and Mary Earps from England and Manchester United secured the Women’s award.

Sarina Wiegman, the England national team boss, received the Women’s Coach of the Year after leading the Lionesses to the World Cup final. The Fair Play Award went to the Brazilian men’s team for donning all-black shirts in solidarity with Vinicius, who faced racist abuse while playing for Madrid. The Puskas Award for the Best Goal went to Guilherme Madruga of Botafogo for his spectacular overhead kick.

The ceremony celebrated outstanding achievements in football, recognizing the brilliance and contributions of players, coaches, and teams on the global stage.