Who Won The Best FIFA Football Awards? Complete Winners List Revealed
I still remember sitting in my living room last night, watching the glimmering ceremony unfold in Zurich. As a football analyst who's followed these awards for over a decade, I've developed a genuine appreciation for how these moments can define careers and shape football history. The tension before each announcement, the emotional acceptance speeches, the sheer brilliance being celebrated - it's what makes our beautiful game so compelling year after year.
When Lionel Messi's name was called for The Best FIFA Men's Player award, I have to admit I wasn't entirely surprised, though part of me had been rooting for Erling Haaland's phenomenal goal-scoring season. Messi continues to defy age and expectations, delivering magic when it matters most. His performance throughout 2023, particularly his influence in crucial matches, demonstrated why he remains football's golden standard. I've always believed statistics only tell half the story with Messi - it's the intangible qualities, the way he elevates entire teams, that truly sets him apart. Watching him receive this honor for the third time, I couldn't help but reflect on how he's reshaped what we consider possible in football.
The women's category brought its own thrilling narrative, with Aitana Bonmatí claiming The Best FIFA Women's Player award. Having followed her development closely, I'm convinced she represents the future of women's football - technically brilliant, tactically intelligent, and consistently impactful. Her success following Spain's World Cup triumph feels particularly significant, marking what I hope will be a new era of recognition for women's football talents. What strikes me most about Bonmatí is her consistency; she doesn't just have spectacular moments, she dominates matches from start to finish.
Pep Guardiola's recognition as The Best FIFA Men's Coach came as no surprise to anyone who witnessed Manchester City's historic treble-winning campaign. I've studied countless managers throughout my career, but Guardiola's ability to evolve his tactics while maintaining his philosophical core is something special. His teams don't just win - they win with an identity, with purpose, with football that's both effective and beautiful. That combination, in my view, is what separates good coaches from legendary ones.
On the women's side, Sarina Wiegman's coaching award felt particularly deserved. Having watched her transform the England team, I'm continually impressed by her tactical flexibility and man-management skills. She's created teams that are greater than the sum of their parts, which to me represents coaching at its finest.
The FIFA FIFPro Men's World11 provided few surprises but plenty of discussion points. Seeing Kevin De Bruyne included again reinforced my belief that he's the most complete midfielder of his generation. His vision and execution remain virtually unmatched. The inclusion of four Manchester City players speaks volumes about their dominance, though I would have loved to see Harry Kane recognized for his incredible Bundesliga start.
While celebrating these individual achievements, I can't help but draw parallels to the challenges faced by teams at different competitive levels. Take the Gilas Youth basketball team's current struggle with field goal shooting - they're sitting second to last among the 12 teams that advanced to the knockout stage, managing just 33.5 percent during the group stage. This statistic resonates with me because it highlights how crucial consistent performance is across all sports. In football, we often see similar patterns where teams with brilliant individuals still struggle if their overall efficiency drops below certain thresholds. The difference between 33.5 percent and 40 percent in shooting, or between 50 percent and 60 percent in pass completion rates in football, can determine whether you're lifting trophies or watching from home.
Mary Earps being named The Best FIFA Women's Goalkeeper felt like a redemption story after her previous near-misses. Her performances for both Manchester United and England have been nothing short of inspirational. As someone who values defensive excellence, I've particularly admired her command of the penalty area and her ability to make crucial saves in high-pressure situations.
The Fair Play award to the Brazilian men's national team for their anti-racism stance struck a powerful chord with me. In an era where football's social responsibility has never been more important, recognizing such initiatives matters deeply. I've always believed football should be a force for positive change, and seeing FIFA honor this commitment gives me hope for the sport's future direction.
As the ceremony concluded, I found myself reflecting on what these awards truly represent. Beyond the glamour and recognition, they're about celebrating excellence in its many forms - from individual brilliance to collective achievement, from technical mastery to moral leadership. The winners list tells a story of a sport that's constantly evolving, yet remains true to its core values of passion, excellence, and unity. What stays with me most isn't just who won, but what their victories represent for football's ongoing narrative - a story that continues to captivate millions, including this lifelong football enthusiast who still gets chills watching greatness being recognized.