— Published January 16, 2024

Aitana Bonmati and Lionel Messi in the firmament of The Best FIFA Football Awards 2023™

Communiqué

  • Lionel Messi crowned The Best again – FIFA Player
  • Aitana Bonmati crowned best player in women's football
  • Mary Earps, Ederson, Sarina Wiegman, Pep Guardiola, Guilherme Madruga and Marta also honored

Held in London on Monday January 15, The Best FIFA Football Awards 2023™ ceremony awarded Aitana Bonmati and Lionel Messi the trophies for best player and best player since the last edition. She also honored coaches, goalkeepers and other players in men's and women's football.

The winners of The Best FIFA Football Awards 2023™ are:

Already crowned The Best – FIFA Player last year, Lionel Messi retains its title in 2023 after an extremely close vote, attended by coaches and captains of national teams, as well as specialist journalists and supporters from around the world.

Tied at 48 points, the 2022 FIFA World Cup™ winner and Manchester City FC striker and Norwegian international Erling Haaland were decided by the votes of the men's national team captains, in accordance with the Allocation rules (section 12). French striker Kylian Mbappé finished third with 35 points.

Voted The Best – First-time FIFA player, Fence Bonmati fully deserves the prestigious trophy after leading Spain to their first world title in 2023, and Barcelona to a treble on the national and European stage.

The talented midfielder beat the other two finalists Linda Caicedo and Jennifer Hermoso following the same protocol as the men's prize, but it was the coaches and captains of the women's national teams who spoke. She succeeds her teammate Alexia Putellas, crowned in 2022.

Mary Earps was named The Best – FIFA Goalkeeper for the second year in a row, becoming the first double winner in the history of the trophy.

The Mancunian once again sparkled in the England cages. The Lionesses won the Finalissima and reached their first FIFA Women's World Cup™ final thanks in large part to their brilliant saves and penalty shootout exploits. His performances at Australia & New Zealand 2023 earned him the adidas Golden Glove. She was also named best goalkeeper in the English championship, thanks to 14 perfect goals in 22 matches for Manchester United last season.

Ederson was awarded The Best – FIFA Goalkeeper 2023 following a successful year, during which he contributed to Manchester City's historic treble.

The 30-year-old Brazilian took the lead in the poll with 23 points, ahead of his competitors Thibaut Courtois (20 points) and Yassine Bounou (16 points).

sarina wiegman was voted The Best – FIFA Women's Football Coach 2023 following a record-breaking year, during which she led the Lionesses to the final of the FIFA Women's World Cup™, after winning the Arnold Clark Cup and the Finalissima.

With 28 points, the England coach won over Emma Hayes (18 points) and Jonatan Giráldez (14 points).

Pep Guardiola was, for his part, awarded the title The Best – FIFA Coach for Men’s Football 2023 after having a string of successes at Manchester City. The Spaniard led the club to a historic championship-UEFA Champions League-FA Cup treble in 2022/23.

His men won two more trophies in 2023: the UEFA Super Cup, followed by the FIFA Club World Cup™ to end the year in style.

With 28 points, Guardiola gained the upper hand over the Italians Luciano Spalletti (18 points) and Simone Inzaghi (11 points).

The 2023 FIFA Puskás Prize has been awarded to the Brazilian Guilherme Madruga, author of a spectacular strike.

The Botafogo-SP midfielder's acrobatic return beat the daring scarf shot of Sporting player Nuno Santos and the long-distance missile of young Brighton winger Julio Enciso.

Named in tribute to the famous Hungarian striker Ferenc Puskás, this trophy rewards the best goal in men's and women's football during the qualifying period, from December 19, 2022 to August 20, 2023.

Marta received the FIFA Special Award in recognition of his illustrious career. She scored 115 goals in 175 matches for Brazil and inspired millions of fans, passing on her passion for football during a career that saw her reign in Brazil, Sweden and the United States.

From 2025, FIFA will introduce a new award in honor of her legendary achievements: the best goal scored in women's football will receive the "Marta Award".

Hugo Daniel “Toto” Iñíguez won the 2023 FIFA Supporters' Award. Last May, the Colón de Santa Fe fan was filmed feeding his two-month-old baby during an Argentine first division match against Barracas Central.

Having gone viral, the moving scene testified to the father's desire to create a relationship between his son and his favorite club from an early age. This moment is now written in history.

 Brazil men's national team received the FIFA Fair Play Award for his strong stance against racism. During a friendly against Guinea in June 2023, the Auriverdes swapped their traditional yellow jersey for an all-black outfit as a sign of solidarity with striker Vinicius Junior, victim of racist insults during matches with the Real Madrid.

The Best FIFA Football Awards 2023™ ceremony concluded an in-depth and democratic process facilitated by FIFA, aimed at honoring players, coaches, goalkeepers, fans, goals and acts of fair play in football global.