FIFA Awards 2023: Messi Beats Haaland In Thrilling Vote, Guardiola Celebrates Coaching Honor

Lionel Messi edged out Erling Haaland to win the men’s player of the year at The Best FIFA Awards 2023 after a tie-break in voting. National team captains broke the tie, with all four home nation skippers voting for Messi. The award considered performances between December 19, 2022, and August 20, 2023, excluding the 2022 World Cup. Messi, who won with Argentina in 2022, secured the Ligue 1 title with PSG before joining Inter Miami, where he won the 2023 Leagues Cup.

In the coaching category, Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola was named best men’s coach, acknowledging his role in City’s treble-winning season. Six City players made the men’s team of the year, with Ederson winning the best goalkeeper award.

Despite Haaland’s treble-winning achievements at Manchester City, Messi claimed the individual honor, with PSG’s Kylian Mbappe finishing third. The awards ceremony took place in London, and Guardiola expressed gratitude to the club’s owners and players for their eight-year journey together.