In a star-studded ceremony at London's Hammersmith Apollo, the FIFA Best Awards 2024 witnessed Lionel Messi, the maestro from Inter Miami, claiming the Men's Player of the Year title for the third time in the award's recent format. The Argentine forward's stellar performances, both with Paris St-Germain and Inter Miami, showcased his enduring brilliance, securing the prestigious accolade once again.
Messi, 36, began the year with PSG before making a mid-year move to the Major League Soccer (MLS) club Inter Miami in June. His exceptional contribution to PSG's French Ligue 1 title and his instrumental role in Inter Miami's victory in the inaugural Leagues Cup were pivotal in securing his place as the Best Male Player.
City's striking sensation, Erling Haaland, and Paris St-Germain's dynamic attacker, Kylian Mbappe, were formidable contenders in the race, but Messi's outstanding goal-scoring exploits and overall impact edged him ahead of the competition.
Meanwhile, in the coaching realm, Manchester City's Pep Guardiola secured the Best Male Coach honor, capping off a historic season where City clinched the coveted Treble of Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup in the 2022-23 campaign. Guardiola's strategic prowess and leadership played a pivotal role in City's remarkable achievements, earning him the well-deserved recognition.
The awards night also saw City's Ederson being crowned the Best Goalkeeper, outshining competitors Thibaut Courtois of Real Madrid and Yassine Bounou of Al Hilal. Ederson's exceptional skills between the posts were crucial in City's triumphant campaign across domestic and European competitions.
The men's team of the year featured a dominant presence from Manchester City, with defenders John Stones, Kyle Walker, and Ruben Dias, midfielders Bernardo Silva and Kevin de Bruyne, and striker Erling Haaland securing their spots. Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham was the sole English player in the lineup not representing Manchester City.
Guardiola, accepting the Coach of the Year award, expressed gratitude to the players for their dedication over the eight-year journey, acknowledging the intensity and unique style that defines his coaching philosophy. As a fitting tribute, Ruben Dias praised Guardiola's ability to extract the best from every player, making them play football in an unparalleled way.
In the Puskas Award category, Brighton's Julio Enciso showcased his spectacular long-range strike, but the honor went to Brazilian Guilherme Madruga for an extraordinary 25-yard overhead kick playing for second-tier Brazil side Botafogo.
The FIFA Best Awards 2024 celebrated a night of football brilliance, where Messi's magic and Guardiola's glory took center stage, leaving an indelible mark on the annals of the beautiful game.
