Lionel Messi has been awarded FIFA’s best men’s player for the second year in a row, narrowly defeating Erling Haaland.
Messi and Haaland were deadlocked on 48 points, but the Argentine was proclaimed the victor over the Norwegian because he received more five-point score votes from national team leaders.
Every FIFA coach and captain voted for three players, offering five points to their first choice, three points to their second, and one point to their third.
How Messi won the 2023 FIFA Best Player Award
Messi was elected as Argentina’s captain, and the Inter Miami player chose Haaland first, followed by Kylian Mbappe, who came third, and fellow countryman Julian Alvarez.
Mbappe, who also voted for France’s captain, chose former PSG colleague Messi first, followed by Haaland and Manchester City player Kevin de Bruyne.
Haaland was unable to vote since he is not the captain of Norway.
Messi chose his former Barcelona coach and current Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola as his top choice in the coach’s category, which he won, followed by current Barcelona coach Xavi and Italy coach Luciano Spaletti.