Home Sports Messi crowned FIFA player of the year 2023, Bonmati claims women’s accolade

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Messi crowned FIFA player of the year 2023, Bonmati claims women’s accolade

Lionel Messi, the Argentine sensation, has once again secured the FIFA men's player of the year prize, outshining Erling Haaland, the talented Norwegian striker from Manchester City, and Kylian Mbappe, the electric forward from Paris St Germain. Messi's remarkable skills and unmatched talent have propelled him to retain this prestigious award. His consistency and excellence on the field have solidified his status as one of the greatest footballers of all time.

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8 February, 2024

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Spanish midfielder Aitana Bonmati, who won the 2023 World Cup with Spain, has been voted as the best women’s player of the year.

Messi, who also won the men’s award in 2022 after leading Argentina to World Cup glory, secured the Ligue 1 title with PSG alongside Mbappe before joining Major League Soccer side Inter Miami.

The 36-year-old, who was voted as the best player by national team coaches, captains, journalists, and fans, played a crucial role in helping Inter Miami win the 2023 Leagues Cup. He scored 10 goals during the competition.

Unfortunately, Messi was not able to attend the ceremony to collect his trophy.

Soccer Football – The Best FIFA Football Awards – Eventim Apollo, London, Britain – January 15, 2024 Former footballer Thierry Henry picks up the trophy for the best men’s player of 2023 during the awards ceremony as the winner, Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi, was not in attendance. Photo: Reuters

The award period for the men’s prize was from December 19, 2022 to August 20, 2023, starting the day after the World Cup final in Qatar.

Haaland, who was instrumental in helping City secure a treble of Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League titles, finishing the 2022-23 season with an impressive tally of 52 goals in 53 matches across all competitions, came second in the voting.

The 23-year-old had the same number of points as Messi, but lost out due to having fewer first-place votes from national team captains.

City’s Pep Guardiola won the Best Men’s Coach award. The Spanish manager, who achieved the same feat with Barcelona in the 2008-09 season before winning the treble with City, dedicated this award to fellow nominees Simone Inzaghi and Luciano Spalletti.

Soccer Football – World Cup – South American Qualifiers – Brazil v Argentina – Estadio Maracana, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – November 21, 2023 Argentina’s Lionel Messi in action. Photo: Reuters

Inzaghi guided Inter Milan to the 2023 Champions League final, where they narrowly lost 1-0 to City, while Spalletti led Napoli to Serie A glory, ending the club’s 33-year wait for the title.

Sarina Wiegman was awarded the Best Women’s Coach prize after leading England to the World Cup final, where they were defeated 1-0 by Spain.

Seven players from England’s Lionesses team were included in the Women’s World XI, with goalkeeper Mary Earps also receiving the Best Women’s Goalkeeper Award.

Brazil’s Manchester City goalkeeper, Ederson, won the men’s goalkeeper award.