Messi edges Haaland to win Fifa's Best Men's player as Bonmati takes best women's prize

Argentine crowned victor thanks to more first-choice nominations from national team captains, coaches, journalists and fans

FILE - Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates with the trophy in front of the fans after winning the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. Lionel Messi has been named FIFA’s best men’s player after moving to Inter Miami and leading the team to a little-known Leagues Cup title, all while single-handedly elevating soccer’s relevance in the United States. The 36-year-old Argentina star on Monday was selected over Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland — the same pair he beat for his eighth Ballon d’Or award last October. (AP Photo / Martin Meissner, File)

Awards show hosts Thierry Henry and Reshmin Chowdhury announce Lionel Messi as the winner of the Best Fifa Men's Player in London. Messi was not present at the ceremony, with his award collected instead by Henry. EPA

Lionel Messi is announced as the winner of the Fifa Best Men's Award. Getty

Barcelona and Spain player Aitana Bonmati arrives at the Best Fifa Football Awards 2023 in London. EPA

Fifa Best Women's Award winner Aitana Bonmati on stage to collect her trophy. Getty

Spain and Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati poses with her awards as she was also named in the Best XI women's team. AP

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 15: Lauren James, Aitana Bonmati, Keira Walsh, Ella Toone, Alessia Russo, Lucy Bronze, Alex Greenwood, Olga Carmona and Mary Earps, Members of the Fifpro Women's World XI, FIFA Men's Coach of the Year, Pep Guardiola, FIFA Women's Coach of the Year, Sarina Wiegman, FIFA Fan Award Winner, Hugo Daniel Iniguez, 2023 Fifpro Men's Best XI Members, Ruben Dias and Kyle Walker and Puskas Award Winner, Guilherme Madruga, stand on stage with their awards during the The Best FIFA Football Awards 2023 at The Apollo Theatre on January 15, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Kate Green / FIFA via Getty Images)

Back row, left to right, Alessa Russo, Ella Toone, Mary Earps and Pep Guardiola on stage with their trophies at the end of the show, during The Best Fifa Football Awards at the Eventim Apollo, London. PA

Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola receives The Best Fifa Men's Coach award. AFP

Lauren James, left, and Alex Greenwood, members of the Fifpro Women's World XI. Getty

Keira Walsh, Alessia Russo, Mary Earps, Ella Toone, Lucy Bronze, Alex Greenwood, Lauren James, alongside Fifa Women's Coach of the Year, Sarina Wiegman, fourth from right. Getty

Alex Greenwood, Olga Carmona and Mary Earps, with their awards after being named in the the Fifpro Women's World XI. Getty

Alex Greenwood, Aitana Bonmai, Ruben Dias, Kiera Walsh, Olga Carmona, Sarina, Kyle Walker, Lauren James and Lucy Bronze on stage with their trophies. PA

Manchester City defender Ruben Dias arrives for the Best Fifa Football Awards 2023 in London. EPA

Lionel Messi edged out Manchester City striker Erling Haaland to be crowned Fifa's Best Men's Player for 2023, while Aitana Bonmati added to her collection of individual accolades at the awards ceremony in London.

Haaland had been widely tipped to collect the award after a stellar debut season in Manchester. His 52 goals helped City to a maiden Champions League crown as well as the Premier League and FA Cup.

Instead, it was Messi who picked up the award for the third time in his illustrious career.

After receiving the same number of points from a scoring system based off votes from national team captains, coaches, journalists and fans, Messi was crowned victor thanks to more first-choice nominations.

The award only covered the period after Messi had led Argentina to World Cup glory in December 2022 to August 2023.

During that time the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner had a subdued end to his career at Paris Saint-Germain, despite winning the Ligue 1 title, before joining MLS side Inter Miami in June.

Messi quickly made his mark in the United States as he helped the franchise, part-owned by David Beckham, to their first trophy by winning the Leagues Cup in August.

Neither Messi nor Haaland attended the ceremony while Messi's former PSG teammate, Kylian Mbappe, who finished third in the voting, was also absent, leaving Arsenal and France legend Thierry Henry, who was co-hosting the event, to pick up the award in Messi's absence.

Bonmati wins Fifa's Best Women's Player

Bonmati's selection as the best women's player was never in doubt as she completed a clean sweep of personal awards after helping Spain to win the World Cup and Barcelona to Champions League glory in 2023.

The 25-year-old also won the Ballon d'Or, Golden Ball for player of the World Cup, and Uefa's Player of the Year in recent months.

"A couple of weeks ago when 2023 came to an end I was nostalgic because 2023 was an exceptional and unique year I will remember for the rest of my life," said Bonmati.

"I'm proud of being part of a powerful generation of women who are changing the rules of the game and the world."

Guardiola wins best coach

Pep Guardiola heads to Abu Dhabi later this week with his squad with his own accolade after he was named best coach after masterminding City's first Champions League success.

"We're here because we won a lot and the thousands of people involved in our success," said Guardiola.

"I'm really happy for the season we had because it was an incredible journey. In the end we did it, but the pleasure of being there was incredible."

Guardiola also guided City to a third successive Premier League title and collected an FA Cup winner's medal for the second time.

In December, City were crowned Club World Cup champions for the first time, although this was not a consideration as it fell outside the timeframe for voting.

Best teams and Puskas Award

Haaland was joined by five of his club teammates – Kyle Walker, John Stones, Ruben Dias, Bernardo Silva and Kevin De Bruyne – in the team of the year.

Real Madrid's Thibaut Courtois, Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior, Messi and Mbappe made up the 11.

City's Ederson won men's goalkeeper of the year, while England and Manchester United stopper Mary Earps picked up the women's award.

England national team boss Sarina Wiegman won the women's coach of the year after leading the Lionesses to the World Cup final.

Seven of England's women were included in the team of the year: Earps, Lucy Bronze, Alex Greenwood, Keira Walsh, Alessia Russo, Lauren James and Ella Toone.

Olga Carmona, who scored the winning goal in the World Cup final, was the only other Spaniard included alongside Bonmati with American star Alex Morgan and Australia's Sam Kerr also selected.

There was also Brazilian success in the Puskas award for the best goal, scored by Botafogo's Guilherme Madruga won the Puskas Award for best for his spectacular overhead kick.