-
Lionel Messi wins 2023 The Best FIFA Men’s Player award
Lionel Messi has been honored as the 2023 Best FIFA Men’s Player, marking his third win after previously securing the award in 2019 and 2022.
The Argentine legend, who also clinched his eighth Ballon d’Or in October for leading Argentina to victory at the 2022 World Cup, outshone competitors Kylian Mbappe of Paris Saint-Germain and Erling Haaland of Manchester City.
During the award’s qualifying period from December 19, 2022, to August 20, 2023, Messi left European football after securing his second Ligue 1 title with PSG, making a move to Major League Soccer’s Inter Miami.
In North America, the 36-year-old propelled David Beckham’s club to their inaugural domestic silverware with the Leagues Cup, finishing as the top scorer in the tournament with ten goals in seven games.
Messi continued to shine in international football, achieving a milestone by scoring his 100th goal for Argentina in a 7-0 victory over Curacao last March. This accomplishment placed him among a select group of men’s footballers with 100 international goals, joining the ranks of Iran’s Ali Daeli and Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo.
This marks Messi’s second consecutive win of the Best FIFA Men’s Player award after securing the title in 2022. Notable past winners include Robert Lewandowski in 2020 and 2021, while Ronaldo claimed the honor in its inaugural two years in 2016 and 2017. Luka Modric, the 2018 winner, is the only other recipient in the men’s category.
THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME HAS DONE IT AGAIN
Best Fifa Men’s Player of 2023, Lionel Messi🐐 pic.twitter.com/duwacyps1P
— MBAH (@Mbahdeyforyou) January 15, 2024