Fifa Best Awards LIVE: Latest updates and results as Lionel Messi and Aitana Bonmati scoop main awards
Lionel Messi and Aitana Bonmati picked up the main awards in London with the Lionesses also picking up several awards
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Argentine Lionel Messi retained the Fifa men's player of the year trophy on Monday, beating Manchester City's treble-winning Norwegian striker Erling Haaland and France's Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe to the award.
Spain's 2023 World Cup winner Aitana Bonmati was voted the best women's player of the year.
Messi, who also secured the men's award in 2022 after guiding Argentina to World Cup victory, clinched the Ligue 1 title with PSG alongside Mbappe following that success, before moving to Major League Soccer team Inter Miami. The 36-year-old, voted the best player by national teams coaches, captains, journalists and fans, helped Inter Miami win the 2023 Leagues Cup -- a competition between MLS and Mexico's Liga MX sides -- scoring 10 goals. Messi was not present to collect the trophy.
The award period for the men's prize ran from Dec. 19, 2022 to Aug. 20, 2023, and started the day after the World Cup final in Qatar. Haaland, who helped City clinch a treble of Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League titles by scoring 52 goals in 53 matches across all competitions in the 2022-23 season, finished second in the voting. The 23-year-old had the same points as Messi but lost out by having fewer first-place votes from national team captains.
City's Pep Guardiola won the Best Men's Coach award. The Spaniard, who before winning the treble with City last term had achieved the same feat at Barcelona in 2008-09, dedicated his award to fellow nominees Simone Inzaghi and Luciano Spalletti.
Sarina Wiegman claimed the Best Women's coach prize after leading England to the World Cup final where they lost 1-0 to Spain. Seven of her Lionesses were included in the Women's World XI, including Mary Earps, who also took the Best Women's Goalkeeper Award. (Reporting by Reuters)
Relive all the action from London and the reaction to the awards below:
Fifa best awards
Time for the first (of probably many) video montages of the evening with a co-ordinated dance and a look back at the tournament held in Australia and New Zealand.
It was a memorable event last summer, with Spain beating England in the final, while the Matildas’ journey to semi-finals captured the attention of the host nation.
Fifa best awards
Theirry Henry and Reshmin Chowdhury are hosting the event and we will start with a look back at the Fifa Women’s World Cup in 2023.
Fifa best awards
Most of the biggest names in football are in London tonight at the Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith for the Fifa Best of Football Awards and we will keep you updated with all the news and updates when the ceremony starts in just five minutes.
Fifa best awards
Here are some more photos as we near the start of the event itself:
Fifa best awards
Here is a look at some of the people arriving on the appropriate green carpet to the event:
Fifa best awards
Men’s and women’s goalkeeper awards:
Brazil and Manchester City shot-stopper Ederson goes up against Real Madrid’s Thibaut Courtois and former Sevilla goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.
In the women’s shortlist, women’s World Cup golden glove and sport’s personality of the year winner Mary Earps is up against Catalina Coll from Spain and Australia’s Mackenzie Arnold.
Fifa best awards
Who is nominated for Women’s coach of the year?
There are two English interests here with both Emma Hayes and Sarina Wiegman up for the main award.
Wiegman won it last year , and also took England to the World Cup final in the time period considered. While Hayes took Chelsea to the FA Cup and Women’s Super League double, and is due to move on from her current role to move to the United States’ Women’s team head coach at the end of the current season.
Jonatan Giraldez is the third name on the list, having led Barcelona to the Champions League and Spanish title during a dominant campaign.
Fifa best awards
Who is nominated for men’s coach of the year?
Pep Guardiola for taking Manchester City to the treble, and then their Fifa Club World Cup maiden victory.
Inzaghi was nominated following Inter’s Coppa Italia win and they finished as Champions League runners-up to Manchester City.
Spalletti equalled a league record when Napoli won their first Serie A title in 33 years with five games to spare and moved on to manage the Italy national team.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments