By Taiwo Ibrahim
Lionel Messi has been named the 2023 FIFA best football awards player of the year after beating treble winner, Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe to the prestigious award.
The Inter Miami star pipped Haaland to the award after finishing on the same points with the Manchester City forward, but he was adjudged the winner because he had more first-place nominations from national team captains.
The award was voted for by national team coaches and captains as well as expert journalists and supporters across the globe.
According to FIFA, the Award recognises most exceptional performer in the men’s game from 19 December 2022 to 20 August 2023.
Messi scored nine goals for PSG, leading them to the Ligue 1 title and also scored 10 goals in seven games for Inter Miami as they won the Leagues Cup in America.
Erling Haaland, who finished behind Messi scored 52 goals in all competitions to lead Manchester City to an historic treble.
He scored 28 goals after the World Cup and two goals before the 20th of August.
Kylian Mbappe, who came third scored 18 goals during the period under review and also won the French Ligue 1 title with PSG and the top scorer award.
However, the three nominees were not present at the awards ceremony as Thierry Henry received the gong on behalf of Lionel Messi.
Messi has now won the award eight times including three in the new format of the award in 2016, 2022 and 2023.
Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola was named the coach of the year after a treble-winning campaign for Manchester City.
Ederson was also named the goalkeeper of the year and six players from Manchester City were included in the team of the year.
The 2023 FIFA The Best Team Of The Year
Thibaut Courtois, John Stones, Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias, Bernardo Silva, Jude Bellingham, Kevin de Bruyne, Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi and Vinicius Jr.
