INTERNATIONAL
In the 2023 edition of FIFA’s The Best awards, world football stars were once again highlighted and received recognition. The ceremony presented nine individual awards in various categories to the best players and coaches of the season.
Messi is once again considered by FIFA as the best player in 2023.
In the Puskás category, the award for the best goal of the year, the Botafogo striker of Brazilian soccer’s Serie B took the honors with his spectacular overhead kick goal from outside the area. His skill and skill made him worthy of the award, beating outstanding competitors such as the Paraguayan Julio Enciso (Brighton) and the Portuguese Nuno Santos (Sporting Lisbon).
Likewise, the Brazilian soccer team was recognized with the FIFA Fair Play award, due to its campaign against racism in sport. Brazil’s commitment to equality and the fight against discrimination left a positive mark. In the category of best male coach, Manchester City’s Spanish strategist won the award. His leadership led the team to win the Premier League, the FA Cup and the Club World Cup in the 2023 season, Guardiola faced Simone Inzaghi (Inter Milan) and Luciano Spalletti (Naples and Italy coach).
It should be noted that the gala had a historical element by registering a tie between two soccer stars: Lionel Messi and Robert Lewandowski, both with 48 points in the sum of the votes of national team captains, coaches, accredited journalists and fans. According to article 12 of the regulations, the tiebreaker was decided in favor of Messi, who received the most “five-point” votes, being chosen in first place by the most voters. This tie added excitement and suspense to the evening, consolidating Messi as the winner, repeating the achievement achieved in 2019 and 2022.