Best FIFA Awards 2023: Messi best male footballer, Bonmati best female footballer
Argentine superstar Lionel Messi won the Best FIFA Men’s Player Award 2023, winning for the third time in four years and Aitana Bonmati, the Spain and Barcelona striker, claimed the Best FIFA Women’s Player Award.
These and several other awards were given out at a star-studded ceremony in London on Monday, January 15.
The best goalkeepers were Manchester City’s (and Brazil’s second-choice) Ederson among the men and Manchester United’s and England’s first-choice keeper Mary Earps among the women.
Pep Guardiola, the coach of Manchester City, who achieved the treble by winning the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League, was honoured with the Best FIFA Men’s Coach award while the award for the best women’s coach was won by England coach Sarina Wiegman, marking her record-extending fourth win (and second consecutive one).
The awardees are chosen based on votes by national team coaches and captains, expert journalists and fans on FIFA.com.
Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland (representing Manchester City and Norway, who scored 52 goals in all competitions in a treble-winning season for his club) were tied on 48 points but the former won by dint of getting the most first-choice votes from his own group of voters (captains in this case).
India captain Sunil Chhetri, England captain Harry Kane and Egypt captain Mohamed Salah were among those who voted for Messi.
Best FIFA Awards 2023 winners
Best FIFA Men’s Player: Lionel Messi
Best FIFA Women’s Player: Aitana Bonmati
Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper: Ederson
Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper: Mary Earps
Best FIFA Men’s Coach: Pep Guardiola
Best FIFA Women’s Coach: Sarina Wiegman
FIFA Puskás Award (for the best goal): Guilherme Madruga
FIFA Fan Award: Hugo Daniel ‘Toto’ Iniguez
FIFA Fair Play Award: Brazil national team
