The Best FIFA Awards: How Messi beats Haaland after tie, Guardiola’s undisputed coach of the year
Ederson, Bonmati also win big at impressive ceremony in London
Lionel Messi has been crowned The Best FIFA Men’s Player 2023, retaining the title he won in 2022.
According to FIFA in a press release, ‘Messi topped an incredibly closely contested poll, which was voted for by national team coaches and captains, as well as expert journalists and supporters across the globe.
With the Argentine and Manchester City FC and Norway international forward Erling Haaland locked together on 48 points, they were separated by the number of first-choice nominations received in votes from national team captains, as per the Rules of Allocation (article 12).
France striker Kylian Mbappe finished third with 35 points.
Aitana Bonmatí was named The Best FIFA Women’s Player for the first time, succeeding her team-mate, 2022 winner Alexia Putellas.
Ederson has been named as The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper of 2023.
The Brazilian shot-stopper was awarded the honour following a stellar year in which the 30-year-old backstopped Manchester City’s historic treble-winning campaign.
Ederson topped the poll with 23 points, ahead of fellow finalists Thibaut Courtois (20 points) and Yassine Bounou (16 points).
Pep Guardiola was named The Best FIFA Men’s Coach 2023 after overseeing an incredible period of success at Manchester City.
The Spaniard led the club to a historic Premier League, UEFA Champions League, and FA Cup treble in 2022/23.
Guardiola’s all-conquering team won a further two trophies in 2023, lifting the UEFA Super Cup before rounding off the calendar year in perfect style by triumphing at the FIFA Club World Cup.
Guardiola came out on top in the voting with 28 points, ahead of Italian duo Luciano Spalletti (18 points) and Simone Inzaghi (11 points).
