Fifa Awards 2023: Lionel Messi and Aitana Bonmatí are the 2023 FIFA Best Player Awards winners.

The ceremony this year honours athletes and teams for the inclusive period of December 19, 2022, to August 20, 2023. Among the campaign’s highlights were Manchester City’s historic treble, FC Barcelona’s comeback to the top of Spain, and Napoli’s remarkable run in Italy.

Messi’s Controversial Victory in FIFA’s best men’s player

Thierry Henry and Reshmin Chowdhury announce Argentinian player Lionel Messi as the winner of the Best FIFA Men’s Player award
Thierry Henry and Reshmin Chowdhury announce Argentinian player Lionel Messi as the winner of the Best FIFA Men’s Player award. Messi was not present at the ceremomy. EFE/EPA/NEIL HALL

Lionel Messi, who moved from Paris Saint-Germain to Inter Miami last year and helped the David Beckham-owned team Inter Miami to win Leagues Cup, has been voted FIFA’s best men’s player of 2023. The 36-year-old Argentine was chosen on Monday over Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe. 

After an incredible season with Manchester City, everyone was expecting Erling Haaland to win, but the Norwegian finished behind Lionel Messi once again following a second-place showing at the Ballon d’Or a few weeks prior.

The reason Messi won was because he gained more votes from captains (13 compared to 11 for Haaland) despite the fact that both players garnered 48 votes, with Kylian Mbappé receiving 35.

However, the Argentine was absent from the Award Ceremony since he is training with Inter Miami, Thierry Henry Receives Award on Behalf of Messi

Aitana Bonmati won FIFA’s Best Women player

Aitana Bonmati receives the best FIFA women's player award.
Aitana Bonmati wins the Best FIFA Women’s Player award at the Best FIFA Football Awards 2023 in London, UK, 15 January 2024. (Reino Unido, Londres) EFE/EPA/NEIL HALL

25-year-old Spanish star and World Cup winner Aitana Bonmati was crowned FIFA’s Best women’s football player, adding to her October Ballon d’Or victory and August Union of European Football Associations title.

Aitana Bonmati leads Spain to World Cup and Barcelona to the Champions League victory. For both contests, she received the title of player of the tournament.

On Monday, Bonmati triumphed over Colombian standout Linda Caicedo and partner Jenni Hermoso of Spain.

Highlights of the Fifa Awards 2023

  • Lionel Messi is the best male player in FIFA.
  • Aitana Bonmati is the best FIFA women’s player.
  • Ederson is the best goalkeeper for men in FIFA.
  • Mary Earps is the best female goalkeeper in FIFA.
  • Pep Guardiola is the best men’s coach in FIFA.
  • Sarina Wiegman is the best FIFA Women’s Coach.
  • FIFA Special Award winner Marta
  • The Senior Men’s National Team Players from Brazil Receive the FIFA Fair Play Award
  • FIFA Fan Award Winner: Fan of Club Atletico Colon
  • Guilherme Madruga receives the FIFA Puskas Award.

By Aditya Patel

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