Argentina star Lionel Messi received his third FIFA The Best men’s award on Monday, defeating Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe.
The award was to be given out between August 20, 2023, and December 19, 2022, the day after Messi led Argentina to victory in the World Cup in Qatar.
Messi’s contributions to PSG and Inter Miami were the main reasons for his win. Before joining MLS in July, he helped the French club win another Ligue 1 championship, and he inspired Miami to win their first-ever Leagues Cup. Messi led Argentina to the top of CONMEBOL’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying table after six games on the international level.
The Argentina star was not present in London to accept the award.
FIFA stated that the three finalists for the award were chosen in collaboration with its “football stakeholders,” with shortlists determined by two separate panels of former players and managers. Journalists, fans, national team captains and managers then voted on who should win the award.
The award marks Messi’s third FIFA The Best title, following his first in 2019 and second last year. He’s also won a record eight Ballon d’Ors.
Messi’s season peaked after he joined Miami in July, when he led the team to win the Leagues Cup with a series of individual heroics, even though the club missed the MLS Playoffs.