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Argentina forward Lionel Messi has won the Men’s Player of the Year award at the Fifa Best Awards ceremony in London, beating Manchester City striker Erling Haaland and Paris St-Germain attacker Kylian Mbappe.
Messi, who joined Inter Miami from Barcelona in the summer, scored 35 goals in 38 games for his club and country in 2023, leading Inter Miami to their first MLS Cup title and Argentina to the Copa America final.
The 35-year-old also became the first player to win seven Ballon d’Or awards in December, cementing his status as one of the greatest players of all time.
Messi thanked his teammates, coaches, family and fans for their support and said he was “very happy and honored” to receive the award.
“I always try to give my best and enjoy the game. I love football and I want to keep playing as long as I can,” he said.
Meanwhile, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola claimed the Men’s Coach prize, after leading his team to a historic quadruple of Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup and Champions League titles in 2023.
Guardiola, who also won the award in 2018 and 2019, praised his players for their “incredible” performance and dedication, and dedicated the award to his late mentor Johan Cruyff, who passed away in November.
“He was the reason why I became a coach. He taught me everything about football and life. He was a genius and a friend. I miss him a lot,” Guardiola said.
City’s Ederson collected the goalkeeper award, ahead of Real Madrid’s Thibaut Courtois and Al Hilal’s Yassine Bounou.
The Brazilian shot-stopper kept 28 clean sheets in 54 games for City, setting a new record for the most clean sheets in a single season in Europe’s top five leagues.
He also saved three penalties in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich, helping City win their first European trophy.
Ederson said he was “very proud and grateful” to win the award and thanked his teammates, coaches and fans for their trust and confidence.
The Fifa Best Awards, which are voted by national team coaches, captains, journalists and fans, recognize the best achievements in football in the calendar
