Lionel Messi named Footballer of the Year for the eighth time

Argentinean Lionel Messi was today voted FIFA Footballer of the Year for the eighth time, beating out Frenchman Kylian Mbappe and Norwegian Erling Haaland in the 2023 voting.

Messi, 36, has already won the award in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019 and 2022 – from 2010 to 2015 the award was a joint choice of FIFA and France Football (FIFA Ballon d’Or) – adds a new “Best” to eight Ballon d’Or triumphs.

In 2023, the Argentine won the French League with Paris Saint-Germain before moving to Inter Miami in the North American League (MLS), with whom he won the Leagues Cup.

In the FIFA rankings, Messi now has three more trophies than Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, who has won five times (2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2016/17).

In 2023, between the national team and clubs, Lionel Messi scored 28 goals and made 12 assists.

Despite Messi surpassing Erling Haaland, Manchester City ended up being one of the big winners at the gala held in London, where Pep Guardiola was the best coach and Ederson the best goalkeeper, with the European champion also included in the team six players. of the year, including the Portuguese Ruben Dias and Bernardo Silva.

In women’s football, Aitana Bonmati, a world champion with the Spanish national team and winner of the Champions League with Barcelona, ​​was recognized as the best player in the world.

The Spanish player has already won the Ballon d’Or, awarded by France Football magazine.

However, the awards ceremony was dominated by runners-up England, with coach Sarina Wiegman chosen as best coach and Mary Earps as best goalkeeper, and there were six players in year eleven.

Brazilian Guilherme Madruga of Botafogo Sao Paulo received the Puskas Award for his goal against Novorizontino, beating Portugal’s Nuno Santos of Sporting.