LONDON – Lionel Messi was crowned FIFA’s best player for 2023 on Monday, while Aitana Bonmati added to her collection of individual accolades at an awards ceremony in London.
Messi won the award for the third time, but the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner was the surprise winner ahead of Erling Haaland on an otherwise glorious night for Manchester City.
The award only covered the period after Messi led Argentina to World Cup glory from December 2022 to August 2023.
The 36-year-old had a subdued end to his career at Paris Saint-Germain despite winning the Ligue 1 title before joining MLS side Inter Miami in June.
Messi quickly established himself in the United States, helping the franchise, part-owned by David Beckham, to their first trophy by winning the League Cup in August.
Haaland was favorite to win after scoring 52 times in his debut season with City as the English side won the Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup treble.
However, after receiving the same number of points from a scoring system based on votes from national team captains, coaches, journalists and fans, Messi was crowned the winner thanks to more first-choice nominations.
Third was Messi’s former club-mate Kylian Mbappe.
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Bonmati’s selection as the women’s player of the year was less controversial as she completed a clean sweep of individual awards after helping Spain win the World Cup and Barcelona to Champions League glory in 2023.
The 25-year-old has also won the Ballon d’Or, World Cup Player’s Ballon d’Or and UEFA Player of the Year in recent months.
“A few weeks ago, as 2023 drew to a close, I felt nostalgic because 2023 was a special and unique year that I will remember for the rest of my life,” Bonmati said.
“I’m proud to be part of a powerful generation of game-changing and world-changing women.”
Pep Guardiola was named the best manager after guiding City to their first ever Champions League success.
Haaland was joined in the Team of the Year by five of his club teammates – Kyle Walker, John Stones, Ruben Dias, Bernardo Silva and Kevin De Bruyne.
Real Madrid’s Thibaut Courtois, Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior, Messi and Mbappe make up the 11.
City’s Ederson won the men’s goalkeeper of the year, while England and Manchester United stopper Mary Earps took the women’s award.
England boss Sarina Wiegman won Women’s Coach of the Year after leading the Lionesses to the World Cup final.
Brazil’s men’s team won the fair play award after appearing in an all-black shirt for the first time in a show of support for striker Vinicius, who suffered several incidents of racist abuse while playing for Real Madrid last year.
Brazil’s success also saw the Puskas award for the best goal scored by Botafogo’s Guilherme Madruga for his spectacular kick.
