Lionel Messi has won FIFA’s Best Men’s Player award for a second successive year, seeing off competition from Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe.
Messi left the European game in 2023, joining David Beckham-owned MLS franchise Inter Miami after departing PSG in June.
The Argentine – who also landed the prize for 2022 after leading his country to World Cup glory – immediately inspired his new club to the first silverware in their history in the Leagues Cup.
Messi scored 10 goals in seven appearances in the competition, with the Herons edging out Nashville SC in a tense penalty shoot-out to claim their maiden trophy in August’s final.
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The Barcelona great provided several memorable moments upon his arrival in the United States, including scoring a stunning stoppage-time free-kick on his debut to fire Miami to a 2-1 win over Cruz Azul.
Though Messi was unable to guide his new club to the MLS Cup Playoffs as he was sidelined by a niggling injury in the Autumn, he still beat fellow nominees Haaland and Mbappe to FIFA’s top individual honour at Monday’s awards ceremony in London.
Undeniable. ????
Leo Messi is the FIFA Best Men’s Player of 2023! https://t.co/HUXQOO6juY
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) January 15, 2024
Messi also won the prize in 2019 and his latest triumph makes him the most decorated player in the short history of the award, taking him clear of two-time winners Cristiano Ronaldo and Robert Lewandowski.
The 36-year-old also won his eighth Ballon d’Or in October, with that award covering the 2022-23 season and thus incorporating his talismanic performances at the World Cup in Qatar.
Meanwhile, it was a current Barcelona star who claimed the Best Women’s Player award, with Aitana Bonmati beating Jenni Hermoso and Linda Caicedo to the trophy.
Bonmati helped Barcelona Femeni win a Primera Division and UEFA Women’s Champions League double in 2022-23 before claiming the Golden Ball award as the best player at the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
The creative midfielder played a key role as Spain beat England 1-0 in the final to be crowed world champions for the first time, though that victory was overshadowed by the controversy surrounding former Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) president Luis Rubiales.
Rubiales kissed Bonmati’s fellow nominee Hermoso in the aftermath of La Roja’s win, which she said was not consensual.
After initially refusing to leave his role, Rubiales was finally forced to resign in September amid a player revolt. Head coach Jorge Vilda, who enjoyed a close relationship with Rubiales, was sacked in the same month.
Upon accepting the award from legendary Brazilian forward Marta, Bonmati referenced the controversy as she said: “I’m proud to be part of a powerful generation of women who are changing the rules of the game.”
Aitana Bonmatí is #TheBest FIFA Women’s Player 2023! ????
Click here for more information. ➡️ https://t.co/lNztX2e3pn pic.twitter.com/UVr0zUBvEW
— FIFA Women’s World Cup (@FIFAWWC) January 15, 2024
