Lionel Messi became the player of the year 2023 according to FIFA

The Inter Miami forward defended last year's victory in the poll against the other two finalists: Erling Haaland of Manchester City and Kylian Mbappé of Paris St. Germán. He won the prestigious award for the record eighth time in his career. Messi, 36, worked in the first half of the year at Paris St. Germain, with whom he won the French title.

He headed to Inter Miami in the summer. He previously won the FIFA poll in 2022, 2019, 2015, 2012, 2011, 2010 and 2009. The poll was conducted for the eighth time under the name The Best FIFA Football Awards. The gala evening was held in London and was accompanied by former French gunner Thierry Henry and English presenter Reshmin Chowdhury.

The best goalkeeper was Brazilian Ederson, who helped Manchester City win five trophies last year (Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup). In the poll he triumphed over Thibaut Courtois of Real Madrid and Yassine Bounou (FC Sevilla).

The honor for best coach went to Pep Guardiola, who last year was behind the dream of the Citizens. The Spanish coach triumphed in the competition against the Italians Simone Inzaghi (Inter Milan) and Luciano Spalletti (SSC Napoli/Italian national team). The best coach of the women's team was Sarina Wiegmanová, who led England to the World Cup final. Her pupil Mary Earps was declared the best goalkeeper.

The Puskas Prize

The most beautiful goal, according to the voters of the media, fans, coaches and captains of the national teams, was scored by Guilherme Madruga of Botafogo-SP with a spectacular scissors into the Novorizontina net in the match of the second highest Brazilian competition, Serie B. The Fair Play Award was won by Brazilian footballers. They showed a gesture of solidarity with forward Vinicius Junior, who has repeatedly become the target of racism in Spain.