The FIFA Best Men’s Player winner is Lionel Messi, who defeated Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland to take home the title.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner from Argentina is the reigning champion once again.
3Messi has yet another award to add to his collectionCredit: AFP
Messi, the star of Inter Miami, has been voted the finest player on the planet even if he chose to forego competing at the highest level of the sport in 2023.
Haaland was a member of the Manchester City team that finished first in the FA Cup, Premier League, and Champions League the previous year.
Mbappe, meanwhile, won the Trophee des Champions and Ligue 1 with Paris Saint-Germain in the previous season.
Messi has taken Major League Soccer by storm, despite Inter Miami’s dismal 2023 result of 14th place in the Eastern Conference—second from the bottom.
Alfe-Inge, the father of Haaland, raised his eyebrows once Messi’s name was given, giving the impression that he didn’t agree with the winner.
Presenter Thierry Henry offered to accept the award on Messi’s behalf because he was unable to attend the London ceremony.
The legendary player of Arsenal also couldn’t help but poke fun at Reshmin Chowhury, a fellow broadcaster who backs rival team Tottenham.
“Tonight, someone is going to have to take the trophy, shall I?” Henry remarked.
3Haaland senior appeared to raise his eyebrows at Messi winning the awardCredit: BBC
3Henry will deliver the award for Messi and couldn’t resist poking fun at Tottenham in the processCredit: BBC
“I actually have two reasons for taking it. I never won it so I’ll keep it.
“But you’re a Tottenham fan right? That’s the other reason, you don’t usually get your hands on a trophy so I’ll take this one.”
Haaland might not have won the championship, but his treble-winning manager, Pep Guardiola, did, as he was named the FIFA Best Men’s Coach.
The Women’s Coach award went to Sarina Wiegman of England, and the Best Women’s Player award went to Aitana Bonmati of Spain and Barcelona.
In the meantime, England and Manchester United legend Mary Earps, along with colleagues Lucy Bronze, Alex Greenwood, Lauren James, Alessia Russo, Ella Toone, and Keira Walsh, was named to the FIFPro Women’s XI and won the Best Women’s Goalkeeper title.