Lionel Messi won the FIFA The Best men’s award in London on Monday despite leaving the top European soccer stage for Major League Soccer.
As a result of Messi’s performance as Argentina’s World Cup champion in 2022, the award recognises the world’s best player from that day until Aug. 20, 2023 as the world’s best player.
After winning the Ligue 1 title with Paris Saint-Germain, Messi led Inter Miami to the League Cup title in MLS.
The other men’s finalists were Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe.
Midfielder Aitana Bonmati, who helped Spain win the Women’s World Cup last summer, earned the women’s FIFA The Best award. Bonmati also guided Barcelona to the UEFA Women’s Champions League title last spring.
The other women’s finalists were Jenni Hermoso (Spain/Tigres UANL) and Linda Caicedo (Colombia/Real Madrid).
The award ceremony also recognised the men’s Top XI for the year, featuring six players from Manchester City’s treble-winning side, and the women’s Top XI, with the San Diego Wave’s Alex Morgan being the only U.S.-based player recognised.
