Lionel Messi wins FIFA’s The Best Award again. The Argentine prevailed against Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland. The Spanish Aitana Bonmatí won the women’s event.
Lionel Messi again and again: The Argentine world champion was voted world footballer of the year despite his departure from the big sports stage. The 36-year-old was honored in his absence on Monday evening in London; he surprisingly beat goalkeeper Erling Haaland from triple winners Manchester City and Kylian Mbappé from Paris Saint-Germain. Messi, who moved to Inter Miami in the USA in the summer, was able to celebrate his eighth FIFA award – there was rather restrained applause in the Hammersmith Apollo.
In the women’s category, Spain’s Aitana Bonmatí was voted world footballer. The 25-year-old world champion from FC Barcelona left the Colombian Linda Caicedo from Real Madrid and the Spaniard Jennifer Hermoso from the Mexican team Tigres Femenil behind her. Bonmatí was the favorite after her outstanding year with the World Cup title in the summer as well as the championship and Champions League triumph with Barça. At the World Cup finals, the Spaniard was already celebrated as the best player of the tournament and, like Messi, she was awarded the Ballon d’Or in the fall.
FIFA-Weltfußballerin 2023: Aitana Bonmatí.
German professionals played no role at the celebratory gala. DFB captain Ilkay Gündogan, Marc-André ter Stegen and Ann-Kathrin Berger made it onto the shortlist in the categories of best player, best goalkeeper and best goalkeeper, but did not make it to the final selection.
Wiegman and Guardiola become world trainers
Spaniard Pep Guardiola was named World Coach of the Year for the second time. The 52-year-old, who won the treble with Manchester City in 2023, prevailed in the World Football Association’s vote against the Italians Simone Inzaghi from Inter Milan and Luciano Spalletti, currently coach of the Italian national team. The Dutchwoman Sarina Wiegman, who led the English national team to the World Cup final in the summer, was honored as the best coach.
Guardiola won the election of captains, coaches, fans and journalists for the first time in 2011, when he was still coach of FC Barcelona. “Thank you very much,” said the former FC Bayern coach on stage at London’s Hammersmith Apollo. “I want to share this trophy with Simone and Luciano. I want to share this trophy with Manchester.” At the end of his speech, the former professional also thanked his family, who accompanied him to the English metropolis.
Thanked his family: world coach Pep Guardiola.
Wiegman had already won the FIFA election in 2017, 2020 and 2022. “Some of you are probably thinking: ‘Here she is again’. I’m sorry,” said the cheerful Dutchwoman. She beat the Spaniard Jonatan Giraldez from FC Barcelona and the Englishwoman Emma Hayes (Chelsea FC) in the election.
Sarina Wiegman during her acceptance speech.
World goalkeeper and world goalkeeper 2023 play in Manchester
Mary Earps from Manchester United received the award in the goalkeeper position. The 30-year-old was able to repeat her success from last year. Among the goalkeepers, the Brazilian Ederson from Manchester City received his first award.
Remembering Beckenbauer, Charlton and Zagallo
The celebratory FIFA gala with the award to the world footballer was also dedicated to Franz Beckenbauer. Together with the Englishman Sir Bobby Charlton and the Brazilian Mário Zagallo, the German football legend was honored at the Hammersmith Apollo. Beckenbauer died on January 7th at the age of 78. “Franz was by far the best and most important player in the history of German football,” said long-time companion Paul Breitner, visibly moved in the hall. “He was an extraordinary person.” It was a “great honor and a pleasure” to play on a team with Beckenbauer.
Zagallo died on January 5, 2024, Charlton on October 21, 2023. Like Beckenbauer, Zagallo had achieved the feat of becoming world champion as a coach and as a player. Charlton had shaped British football for years and celebrated the World Cup title as a professional in 1966.
Broadcast on Monday, January 15th, 2024 at 11:00 p.m., SWR Aktuell Nachrichten
