News

Lionel Messi beats Erling Haaland to Best FIFA men’s award

Lionel Messi won FIFA’s “The Best” award for the third time on Monday as the Argentine pipped Manchester City’s Erling Haaland to the prize for best men’s player in 2023.

Haaland was favourite to win after scoring 52 times in his debut season with Manchester City, but Messi edged the vote after winning Ligue 1 with Paris Saint-Germain and the Leagues Cup just months after joining Inter Miami.

Messi’s latest award is coming just three months after he became Ballon d’Or champion for a record-breaking eighth time.

The Argentinian garnered most of the votes in a three-man shortlist that included Haaland and Paris Saint-Germain talisman Kylian Mbappe.

Despite being largely unexceptional in the last 12 months, Messi topped the pile for the Best awards voted by captains and coaches of national teams.

The Argentina captain moved to David Beckham’s Miami team in 2023 scoring 11 goals in 14 appearances and winning the Leagues Cup with the team.

This marks two successive years of being named FIFA’s Best men’s player after previously winning in 2022 and before that in 2019.

Abdul Noah Ocholi

Recent Posts

Why Serie A Defenders Should Fear Victor Osimhen’s Potential Return, According To Ex-Napoli Star Mario Rui

Why Serie A Defenders Should Fear Victor Osimhen’s Potential Return, According To Ex-Napoli Star Mario…

53 minutes ago

Mikel Arteta Tight-Lipped On Declan Rice Fitness After Arsenal Midfielder Hobbled Off In Brentford Win

Arsenal fans held their breath midweek when Declan Rice unexpectedly hobbled off during the Gunners’…

2 hours ago

Funke Oshonaike Makes History As First Nigerian Appointed To The IOC Athletes’ Commission

Nigerian sports just bagged another major win — and this time it’s thanks to one…

2 hours ago

World Cup No.7? Stunning Prediction as Cristiano Ronaldo Is Backed to Make History Again

Cristiano Ronaldo is 40, still scoring, still breaking records — and now tipped to do…

2 hours ago

He Gives Us Energy: William Saliba Hails Mastermind Behind Arsenal’s Defensive Dominance

Arsenal’s defensive dominance in the Premier League has a new driving force behind it, according…

4 hours ago

Barcelona Won’t Fuel Controversies Over Messi Return But Have ‘Beautiful Tribute’ Plan For Argentine GOAT

Barcelona have confirmed that they will not fuel controversies or speculation about a possible return…

4 hours ago