Argentina’s Lionel Messi added another landmark to his storied career this Monday by securing his third The Best World Player award, finishing ahead of Norway’s Erling Haaland and France’s Kylian Mbappe. Although Messi did not attend the gala, his presence looms large as he claimed the prize that recognizes the world’s top player across a period spanning December 19, 2022, to August 20, 2023, a window that followed the 2022 World Cup final by just a day.
The Rosarian star previously lifted this honor in 2019, with Virgil van Dijk and Cristiano Ronaldo in the mix, and then again in 2022 when Mbappe and Karim Benzema were behind him. This latest victory marks Messi’s continued ascent in the pantheon of football greats, marking a sustained peak across multiple seasons and leagues.
In this season, Messi was tied with Haaland at 48 points in the final tally, but he edged ahead due to the tie-breaking rule that weighs the top pick of national team captains more heavily. The voting breakdown showed Messi with 48 points, including 13 from captains, 11 from coaches, 11 from journalists, and 13 from fans. Haaland also finished with 48 points, receiving 11 from captains, 13 from coaches, 13 from journalists, and 11 from fans. Mbappe came in third with 35 votes, distributed as nine from captains, nine from coaches, nine from journalists, and eight from fans.
The decisive criterion for The Best is the order of preference among national team captains, and Messi held the top spot in their ballots, securing the prize as a result. This recognition follows Messi’s decision to depart Europe after two seasons with Paris Saint-Germain and pursue a new chapter in Major League Soccer with Inter Miami. There he claimed his first trophy in the United States, the League Cup, scoring eleven goals across fourteen appearances, though his team did not advance to the MLS playoffs. The move underscored Messi’s ongoing impact beyond European borders and reinforced his status as a global football icon.
Back in October, Messi captured his eighth Ballon d Or while playing in Paris, largely propelled by the World Cup triumph with Argentina in December 2022, the moment that added a third star to the Albiceleste shirt. At 36 years old, the player who has won titles across Europe and etched his name as Argentina’s all-time leading scorer continues to chase more milestones. His next major objective is the Copa America, set to be hosted in the United States from June to July 2024.
On the club front, Messi began reconnecting with former Barcelona teammates Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, and Luis Suárez in Miami as preparations for the upcoming season progressed, signaling a strong blend of familiar chemistry and fresh ambition for the team. The blend of Messi’s exceptional talent and MLS’s growing profile helps elevate the league and adds another compelling chapter to his already extraordinary career.
Messi’s ongoing journey—combining domestic league excellence, international triumphs, and breakthrough performances in a new footballing landscape—continues to captivate fans around the world. His ability to adapt, lead, and deliver when it matters most remains a defining feature of his legacy, illustrating why he is widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time.