Lionel Messi doesn’t even have to travel anymore – and he still wins everything. Despite his departure from the big sports stage, the Argentine world champion has been voted world footballer of the year again. The 36-year-old’s eighth FIFA trophy from Inter Miami in the USA is his most surprising. He beat goal guarantor Erling Haaland (23) from triple winner Manchester City and Kylian Mbappé (25) from Paris Saint-Germain. There was more muted applause in the Hammersmith Apollo, Messi wasn’t there.
Aitana Bonmatí (25), who celebrated the World Cup title with Spain in the summer, was named the best female soccer player. Haaland coach Pep Guardiola was honored as the best coach, and the best coach was the Dutchwoman Sarina Wiegman, who led the English national team to the World Cup final in the summer. All of the prizes at the celebratory gala were presented by women, and the world footballer – not the world footballer as usual – was the last to be honored.
As the election results show, the decision in favor of Messi was razor thin. Like Haaland, the Argentine received a total of 48 points – in the event of a tie, the first votes of the national team captains count, and here Messi was clearly ahead. For example, Haaland was chosen by DFB captain Ilkay Gündogan, Messi received the first vote from England captain and Bayern striker Harry Kane.
Deceased sports icons are remembered
German professionals played no role. DFB captain Ilkay Gündogan, Marc-André ter Stegen and Ann-Kathrin Berger made it onto the shortlist in the categories of best player, best goalkeeper and best goalkeeper, but did not make it to the final selection.
For a moment between the award ceremonies, the gala was also dedicated to Franz Beckenbauer. “Franz was by far the best and most important player in the history of German football,” said long-time companion Paul Breitner, visibly moved in the hall. “He was an extraordinary person.” It was his “great honor and a pleasure” to play in a team with Beckenbauer. The two other icons who died recently, the Englishman Sir Bobby Charlton and the Brazilian Mário Zagallo, were also remembered.
Haaland certainly deserved the award, officially dubbed “The Best,” after his outstanding year with City. The former Dortmund player scored 44 goals in 54 games across all competitions – and not only won the treble of the Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup, but also the UEFA Super Cup and the Club World Cup.
Messi instead of Haaland – Bonmati, Guardiola and Wiegman
Nevertheless, it was Messi again, which calls into question the sporting value of the award, which has been in competition with the Ballon d’Or again for a few years. Messi won this last year because the World Cup title in Qatar in 2022 was also part of the assessment period. At club level, the 36-year-old has long since arrived on the periphery of world football. Coaches, players, journalists – and the fans, the majority of whom still carry Messi in their hearts, are eligible to vote.
Bonmatí was the favorite after her outstanding year with the World Cup title in the summer as well as the championship and Champions League triumph with Barça. At the final round, the Spaniard was already celebrated as the best player of the tournament and in the autumn she was awarded the Ballon d’Or.
Guardiola won the election for the first time in 2011, when he was still coach of FC Barcelona. “Thank you very much,” said the former FC Bayern coach on stage. “I want to share this trophy with Simone and Luciano. I want to share this trophy with Manchester.” At the end of his speech, the former professional also thanked his family, who accompanied him to the English metropolis.
Wiegman had already won the FIFA election in 2017, 2020 and 2022. “Some of you are probably thinking: ‘Here she is again’. I’m sorry,” said the cheerful Dutchwoman.
