Lionel Messi Wins 2023 FIFA The Best Men's Player Award

Messi's Performance with Inter Miami Recognized as the Best Despite Move from European Football

Lionel Messi won the 2023 FIFA The Best Men's Player award, beating Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe. Messi and Haaland both finished with 48 scoring points, but Messi was crowned the winner due to receiving more votes from national team captains.
Despite moving to Major League Soccer team Inter Miami, Messi's performance in 2023 was still recognized as the best. He helped Inter Miami win their first trophy by lifting the Leagues Cup in August and scored 10 goals in seven games in the competition.
Haaland had a standout season with Manchester City, scoring 52 goals and helping the team win the UEFA Champions League, Premier League, and FA Cup. However, it was not enough to secure him the award.
Mbappe, who played alongside Messi at Paris Saint-Germain before the latter's move to Inter Miami, finished third in the voting. He led PSG to another Ligue 1 title and was the league's leading scorer for the fifth year running.
The award's eligibility period covered the players' achievements from December 19, 2022, to August 20, 2023. This period did not include Messi's World Cup triumph with Argentina, which took place just before the eligibility period began.