Lionel Messi and Aitana Bonmatí were crowned The Best FIFA Men’s Player and The Best FIFA Women’s Player respectively of 2023 in London on Monday.
The Best FIFA Football Awards also recognised the outstanding performances of coaches, goalkeepers, and more across the men’s and women’s game.
Messi, who plays for Argentine and Inter Miami, retained the title he won in 2022. He 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.
Messi and Manchester City and Norway international forward Erling Haaland were locked together on 48 points, but they were separated by the number of first-choice nominations received in votes from national team captains, while France and Paris Saint-Germain striker Kylian Mbappe finished third with 35 points.
Bonmatí, who plays for Barcelona and Spain, won the FIFA Best award for the first time, a worthy recognition for inspiring Spain in 2023 to their maiden world title, and Barcelona to a domestic and European treble.
The Spaniard succeeded her team-mate, 2022 winner Alexia Putellas, fending off competition from fellow finalists Linda Caicedo and Jennifer Hermoso.
Meanwhile, Manchester City coach, Pep Guardiola, was crowned The Best FIFA Men’s Coach 2023 after leading the club to a historic Premier League, UEFA Champions League, and FA Cup treble in 2022/23.
Other winners of The Best FIFA Football Awards 2023:
The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper: Mary Earps (England / Manchester United)
The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper: Ederson (Brazil / Manchester City FC)
The Best FIFA Women’s Coach: Sarina Wiegman (Netherlands / England Women’s National Team)
The Best FIFA Men’s Coach: Pep Guardiola (Spain / Manchester City FC)
The FIFA Puskás Award: Guilherme Madruga (Brazil / Botafogo Futebol Clube)
The FIFA Special Award: Marta
The FIFA Fair Play Award: Brazil men’s national team
The FIFA Fan Award: Hugo Daniel “Toto” Iniguez
