Messi repeats FIFA Award
Tie Break Settles the Vote
Lionel Messi repeats FIFA Award as the legendary futbol player continues racking up accolades. After winning his first World Cup with Argentina in late 2022, it came as no shock when, back in November, Lionel Messi was named the Ballon d’Or recipient as soccer’s top men’s player for a record eighth time.
The GOAT?
On Monday, in London, the player who is widely considered the greatest of all time was once again awarded the Best FIFA Men’s Player award for the period of Dec. 19, 2022, to Aug. 20, 2023, excluding his World Cup victory. The award was granted through a voting process that included national team captains, coaches, media members, and fans from around the world.
Erling Haaland, from Norway, was again beaten out by Messi for this award, much like the Ballon d’Or. However, it was a bit surprising, as Haaland managed to break the goal-scoring record in the Premier League, the world’s most competitive domestic circuit, and win the Champions League, FA Cup, and Prem titles in his debut season with Manchester City in 2023. Messi and Haaland received the same number of votes, but Messi won the tie-breaker based on having received more first-place selections from the captains.
Messi and Haaland tied for first place in The Best FIFA Men’s Player finalists voting, but Messi won on a tiebreak 🐐🗳️ pic.twitter.com/VwbRKdGodS
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) January 16, 2024
Kylian Mbappé, who played alongside Messi at Paris Saint-Germain for two years, secured the third position. Despite being on the losing side in the final of Qatar 2022, Mbappé led PSG to another French title and emerged as the top scorer of Ligue 1 for five consecutive years.
Still Getting Better?
Messi clinched his third Best FIFA Men’s Player award, second in a row, and also won it in 2019. The Inter Miami forward was the leading assister of Ligue 1 in the 2022-23 season and helped his team win the title for the second consecutive year. However, his accomplishments after leaving Paris were arguably more remarkable.
Six months after his unforgettable performance, Messi announced his move to Miami and quickly settled in. He marked his debut with a sensational free-kick winner against Cruz Azul in a Leagues Cup match, and this was just the beginning. He scored 10 goals, including many spectacular ones, in seven games in the 47-team Leagues Cup, which featured all 47 clubs from MLS and Liga MX. Miami eventually lifted the trophy.
Excelling Everywhere
Messi, after leading Miami to its first trophy, assisted twice in the second half of the U.S. Open Cup semis, overturning a 2-0 deficit against FC Cincinnati. The Herons went on to win the penalty shootout, securing their second final of 2023. Messi, as expected, scored his spot kick.
At the international level, Messi scored five goals in his first three games for the Albiceleste after winning the World Cup. These were the only matches considered for the Best FIFA Men’s Player award, and Argentina won all three.
Among the national team captains who voted for Messi, U.S. star Christian Pulisic’s vote proved decisive:
Christian Pulisic (usmnt captain) ballot for FIFA player of year:
1. Messi
2. Mbappe
3. HaalandBerhalter’s ballot:
1. Rodri
2. Haaland
3. Messi@ByDougMcIntyre (US media):1. Haaland
2. Messi
3. Mbappe— Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider) January 15, 2024