The captain of Argentina keeps the coveted award ahead of other candidates Mbappe and Haaland.

Lionel Messi has been crowned The Best FIFA Me𝚗’s Player 2023, retaining the title he won in 2022.

The Argentina superstar has been bestowed with the honour once again following another qualifying period where he dazzled football fans across the globe. Messi was recognised for his achievements at The Best FIFA Football Awards ceremony in London, having come out on top in the voting ahead of finalists Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe.

Messi topped an incredibly closely-contested poll which was voted for by national team coaches and captains as well as expert journalists and supporters across the globe.

With the 2022 World Cup winner and Norway international Haaland locked together on 48 scoring points, they were separated by the number of first-choice nominations which Messi received in votes from national team captains, as per the Rules of Allocation (article 12). France striker Mbappe finished third with 35 points.

In addition, Messi was named the 2019 FIFA Me𝚗’s Player of the Year. Before that, FIFA named him the best player in the me𝚗’s division five times: in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2015. This is Messi’s sixth individual title overall.

The winner in focus

With a long list of significant national, international, and individual awards to his nаme, Messi is a player who has achieved it all, solidifying his status as one of the greatest players in the history of the beautiful game.

La Pulga Atomica led Argentina to FIFA World CupTM victory in Qatar, and he was crowned The Best Me𝚗’s Player in 2022. In 2023, he added further trophies to his collection as PSG repeated as Ligue 1 winners in France.

The 36-year-old’s two-year stay in Paris came to an end in July, and he crossed the Atlantic to join Inter Miami for the newest chapter of his career. He is now the leading scorer in the top five European leagues.

Messi’s standout moments

Messi had more assists than any other player throughout the season, leading PSG to a second consecutive domestic championship during his time in France. As a result, he was included in the Ligue 1 Team of the Season. Congratulations to Leo Messi, best passer of the season in #Ligue1!#HistoryIsMadeInParis

After winning the World Cup in Qatar, Argentina quickly resumed their FIFA World Cup 26TM qualifying journey, with the CONMEBOL campaign beginning in September 2023. Before before, Messi scored his 100th goal for his country in a 7-0 friendly victory against Curacao in March. After Iran’s Ali Daei and Portugal’s legendary Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi is just the third male player to achieve the milestone.Messi almost certainly made an immediate impression on his debut with Inter Miami after leaving PSG in the summer. The MLS team was given a free kιck 25 yards away in a central location with the score tied at 1-1 in their Leagues Cup matchup against Cruz Azul of Mexico deep into extra time. Only one individual was willing to accept it. There was just one possible result. Messi’s left foot wand sends an unstoppable shot into the top-right corner of the goalie.

What they said about Messi

“You wouldn’t trust me if I told you what he did during training. He is insаne. I advised Leo to play for as long as he can as long as he is happy on the field. It’s incredible that he demonstrated to us that in football, there are no boundaries.”Head coach of Argentina, Lionel Scaloni“We purchased him in part to encourage the next American soccer players to pursue careers in the sport. Thus, having him along does that, and it’s crucial for us. That kind of person alters the rules. That kind of person motivates a new generation of soccer players.”Co-owner of Inter Miami David Beckham“My brother… We tried everything, but it didn’t work out the way we had hoped. Being with you for an additional two years was a joy. I wish you well on your new journey and happiness. I cherish you.”Neymar, a former teammate of Paris Saint-Germain