Lionel Messi, the renowned Argentine footballer, has been honored as FIFA’s Best Men’s Player for the year 2023.
This accolade comes following his impactful move to Inter Miami, a team co-owned by David Beckham, where he played a vital role in securing the Leagues Cup title.
At 36, Messi continues to demonstrate his exceptional talent, outshining fellow nominees Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland. This latest victory marks Messi’s eighth Ballon d’Or win since October last year.
Despite his absence at the award ceremony in London’s Hammersmith Apollo theater, Messi’s influence in the sport remains undisputed. This latest FIFA award is his eighth in the past 15 years, a testament to his consistent excellence. He previously won the award in the preceding year, following his huge contribution to Argentina’s triumph in the 2022 World Cup.
The criteria for the men’s award this year focused on performances post-World Cup, up until August 20, excluding the World Cup achievements. Votes were cast by a global panel comprising national team coaches, captains, selected journalists, and fans participating online.
Messi’s tenure at PSG, alongside Mbappe, saw them clinch the French league title. However, their journey in the Champions League and French Cup was cut short in the round of 16. It was Messi’s exploits in the United States that likely tipped the scales in his favor.
Choosing MLS over a potential move to Saudi Arabia, Messi brought a new level of excitement to a league striving for recognition in a sports landscape dominated by the NFL and NBA. His debut game for Inter Miami was marked by a stunning free-kick goal, signaling the start of a remarkable run. Messi scored 10 goals in seven games, leading Inter Miami to their first-ever Leagues Cup victory on August 19, just a day before the FIFA award eligibility period concluded.
While Haaland and Mbappe also had impressive seasons, Messi’s impact in the United States and his consistent performance in France played a crucial role in securing this prestigious award. Haaland was instrumental in Manchester City’s success across multiple competitions, and Mbappe maintained an impressive scoring rate for PSG and France. However, it was Messi’s overall influence and achievements in 2023 that earned him this distinguished honor.
