/sky247-english/media/agency_attachments/u8Dd4hyaH0mQGXmyg0Eo.png)
/sky247-english/media/media_files/oXHoxgPA7CrylmMTcwp1.jpg)
Follow Us/sky247-english/media/media_files/WoWoMmlp1auPeLLbozuy.png)
Lionel Messi (Source: Twitter)
Ever since Argentina won the 2022 FIFA World Cup, their talisman Lionel Messi hasn't had a day off from making headlines. The face of world football has literally graced his illustrious career with almost every award and accolade. Recently he added one more to the list - Best FIFA Men's Player Award. This is the third time he has received this award in the last four years.
/sky247-english/media/media_files/L36rCpmHRJkAgRgNCcLd.jpg)
His excellence in leading the Argentina men's team to World Cup glory in Qatar was the main fuel for his achievement. It is also noteworthy that he won the Golden Ball in the tournament. Messi's Ligue 1 title with his former club Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and his role in helping Inter Miami win the Leagues Cup in his debut season in Major League Soccer (MLS) were also considered.
However, the 36-year-old needed a tiebreaker with Manchester City's Erling Haaland to win the best men’s player award on Monday, January 15. The two were tied on 48 points each in the FIFA rating system. However, the Argentina skipper edged past City's goal-scoring machine, thanks to more votes from national team captains.
As per the rules, the coach and captain can vote for three players, with five points going to their first pick, three points to their second, and one point going to their third pick. Messi received more first-choice nominations in the votes. India captain Sunil Chhetri, England's Harry Kane and Egypt's Mohamed Salah were among the many who voted for Argentina skipper. Meanwhile, Messi himself voted for Haaland ahead of Kylian Mbappe and his teammate Julian Alvarez.
Norwegian footballer Haaland had a tremendous season in 2023, scoring 52 goals in all competitions and winning treble for the Manchester-based club. Mbappe, the 2022 World Cup Golden Boot winner and star PSG forward, was third on the men's list.
Aitana Bonmati wins Best Women's Player Award
Meanwhile, Spanish superstar Aitana Bonmati won the Best Women's Player Award after a dream season at the international level and for her club Barcelona. The 25-year-old midfielder was instrumental in Spain's maiden world title and Barcelona's domestic and European treble.
“I would like to congratulate all the nominees. And also to say that I’m proud of being part of a powerful generation of women who are changing the rules of the game and the world," Bonmati said in a powerful victory speech in London.
"A couple of weeks ago, when 2023 came to end, I was nostalgic because it was an exceptional and unique year that I will remember for the rest of my life. Starting out 2024 by collecting this award is incredible. But as I’ve said before, I owe it to the teams I played in: Barçelona, the national team. I owe it to the seasons we had," she added.