Triumph of Excellence: Messi wins FIFA The Best, receiving the title of best player in the world

Jan 15, 2024

3 min read

Argentine player, Lionel Messi, added another feat to his impressive career by winning the title of best player in the world for the eighth time. The evaluation period for the award ran from December 19, 2022 to August 20, 2023.

The Best Award Trophy - Photo Reproduction/Harold Cunningham/FIFA

On the world football stage, few names shine with the intensity and consistency of Lionel Messi. At FIFA The Best of 2024, held this Monday (15), the Argentine star added another glorious chapter to his career by being crowned the Best Player in the World. For the eighth time in his career, the Inter Miami player won the title of best player in the world by FIFA, surprising everyone this time. The number 10, also awarded the Ballon d'Or in 2023, left behind the favorite Haaland, from Manchester City, and Mbappé, from PSG, who occupied the next positions on the podium.

Interestingly, none of the three finalists attended the awards ceremony. With Messi's absence, the event's host, Thierry Henry, a former player and commentator, joked with the audience. The surprise with the award was reflected in the timid applause of the audience and the good-humored reaction of the presenters. The Fifa The Best evaluation period ran from December 19, 2022, the day after the World Cup, until August 20, 2023.

The FIFA The Best Award: Recognizing Excellence in Football

FIFA The Best is an annual award ceremony organized by the International Football Federation (FIFA) to honor the best players, coaches and teams in the world. The award, decided by votes from coaches, national team captains, journalists and fans, represents the pinnacle of recognition in the world of football.

This year, a total of eight trophies were distributed throughout the night in England, corresponding to the afternoon in Brazil. Brazilian player Guilherme Madruga received the Puskás award for the most beautiful goal of the year. In addition to him, goalkeeper Ederson, from Manchester City, was honored, and Vinicius Júnior was selected for the team of the year. The Brazilian team was awarded Fair Play due to its actions against racism. In the women's category, Aitana Bonmatí, talented Barcelona player and world champion with the Spanish team, won the title of best player in the world.

FIFA The Best winners

FIFA The Best Award (men)

Lionel Messi (Inter Miami)
Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
Kylian Mbappé (Paris Saint-Germain)

FIFA The Best Award (women)

Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona)
Linda Caicedo (Real Madrid)
Jennifer Hermoso (Tigers)

Puskás Award for the most beautiful goal of the year

Guilherme Madruga (Botafogo-SP)
Julio Enciso (Brighton)
Nuno Santos (Sporting)

Team of the year – men's football

Courtois (Real Madrid); Walker (Manchester City), Stones (Manchester City) and Rúben Dias (Manchester City); Bernardo Silva (Manchester City), De Bruyne (Manchester City) and Bellingham (Real Madrid); Messi (Inter Miami), Haaland (Manchester City), Mbappé (PSG) and Vinicius Júnior (Real Madrid).

Team of the year – women's football

Mary Earps; Lucy Bronze, Alex Greenwood and Olga Carmona; Keira Walsh, Lauren James, Aitana Bonmatí, Ella Toone and Alessia Russo; Sam Kerr and Alex Morgan.

Best coach award (male)

Pep Guardiola (Spain/Manchester City)
Simone Inzaghi (Italy/Inter Milan)
Luciano Spalletti (Italy/Italian national team)

Best coach/technique award (female)

Sarina Wiegman (England National Team)
Jonatan Giraldez (Barcelona)
Emma Hayes (Chelsea)

Best goalkeeper award

Yassine Bounou (Marrocos/Al Hilal)
Thibaut Courtois (Bélgica/Real Madrid)
Ederson (Brazil/Manchester City)

Best goalkeeper award

Mackenzie Arnold (West Ham)
Catalina Coll (Barcelona)
Mary Earps (Manchester United)

FIFA Fan Award

Supporter of Colón de Santa Fé (Argentina) — was caught on broadcast breastfeeding a baby in the stands of the Brigadier General Estanislao López Stadium, in Argentina, during a 1-1 draw between Colón and Barracas Central, in May this year, for the Argentine Championship;
Fran Hurndall (England) — Australian who traveled the 1000 kilometer route from the city of Gold Coast to Sydney carrying a ball with her feet before the start of the Women's World Cup to raise money for women's sport in Australia;
Miguel Ángel, Millonarios fan (Colombia) — young boy who suffered from an incurable disease and realized his dream of meeting the entire Millonários squad in person before being euthanized