The Fifa Best Awards in London are over which means it is time to end this blog. Thank you so much for joining me. It was a riveting night of heavy trophies and glittering outfits.
Our full report on the winners is here now. See you next time.
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Some more football news from around the world today:
Nottingham Forest and Everton could face points deduction after PL charges
Saudi Arabia plans for ‘futuristic’ clifftop 2034 World Cup stadium revealed
Women’s FA Cup draw: Arsenal to host Manchester City in fifth round
Asian Cup roundup: South Korea, Jordan and Iraq flex their muscles
Afcon roundup: Cameroon frustrated by Guinea while Senegal ease to victory
Mbappe was, of course, an outside shout at this year’s men’s award despite being the third player shortlisted.
The French star has a huge decision to make in the coming weeks regarding his future. Check out today’s Ligue 1 blog on how him possibly leaving Paris Saint-Germain could impact not only the club, but the entire French league.
Caicedo and Hermoso were likely never going to win the women’s award next to Bonmatí but they both had incredible years in their own right.
Hermoso was the Guardian’s Footballer of the Year, for being the focal point of football’s battle against misogyny in the moment of her greatest triumph.
Caicedo made a huge move to Real Madrid and will always be remembered for that goal at the World Cup.
Linda Caicedo - absolutely breathtaking ✨#COL lead Germany in Sydney!#FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/J3dgDLPSl2
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) July 30, 2023
This year’s awards show was all about celebrating football in 2023.
You do feel that the 2022 World Cup had an impact on the men’s award as Messi did not do much in the last calendar year. Haaland will certainly feel as if he could not have done much more to get the award.
But he does go to bed every night knowing he is a treble winner, so is he truly bothered?
Bonmatí though – what a year! Treble winner and World Cup winner plus just about every individual award imaginable.
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Bonmatí was the Guardian’s best women’s footballer of the year. Here is Suzanne Wrack with a write-up on her extraordinary 2023.
Messi was number 10 on our list of men’s footballers of the year. The number one spot went to Erling Haaland, who Niall McVeigh comments on here.
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Aitana Bonmatí wins The Best Fifa Women's Player
She beats Linda Caicedo and international teammate Jenni Hermoso.
“It’s been an incredible and unique year that I will remember for the rest of my life. I owe this to the team that I play with them: Barcelona and the national team. Without my teammates I would not be here picking up these awards. I will always be thankful to those who have not failed me: my family and my friends.
“I want to congratulate all the nominees and say that I am proud of being part of a powerful generation of women who are changing the rules of the game.”
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Henry then announces that from next year, the best goal in women’s football will be called the Marta award.
The Brazilian then says that her international goal count is wrong and that she has 120, not the 115 that is on record.
Before we get to the main women’s prize, we get a video honouring Marta, who is the only player to have won SIX Best Fifa Women’s player. She is being honoured with a special award tonight by the late Pelé’s wife.
“It is always very difficult to come to this stage and not be emotional. This homage and this tribute shows that every single woman can see a future, not just in football and sport, but in any activity because what we want and what we search for is to try to make the world better without distinction. That is my message to every person who has the power to convey this through what they do. Because the next generation will thank us for this. I want to thank Fifa and the world community of football for this tribute.
“And who knows? Maybe I will play another Olympics,” she teases at the end.
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Lionel Messi wins The Best Fifa Men’s Player
He beats Haaland and Mbappé to claim the top men’s player prize tonight.
The Argentine is not in attendance tonight. To alleviate the awkwardness, Henry takes the award: “I am holding this because I have never won it.”
He then teases Chowdhury, telling her that she can’t hold it because she’s a Spurs fan and they aren’t used to winning trophies.
A very anticlimactic moment given that Messi is not there. Not even a video message! Poor from Fifa that.
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Before the two big player awards, we get a rendition of Feeling Good (originally by Nina Simone, I believe) performed by Joy Crookes. Behind her some of the best moments of Fifa competitions in 2023 playing in the background.
A Colón fan from Argentina wins Fifa Fan Award. Back in 2023, the TV cameras panned on Hugo Daniel Iniguez while cradling his son and feeding him his bottle during the team’s Argentinian top-tier encounter against Barracas Central.
The fan came on stage with his son, who begins to cry as his father begins his speech, which earns a few laughs.
He thanks the TV camera operator for catching the moment, his family and his beloved club.
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An irrelevant aside, but the trophies look so heavy and almost every winner has struggled to carry it. I wonder what it is made of and if it even needs to weigh so much.
Guilherme Madruga wins the Fifa Puskás Award
The Brazilian, who plays in the second division, looks quite shocked at first before a huge smile bursts on his face. He is quite emotional during his speech.
The award is also presented by the great granddaughter of Puskás himself.
“Today for me is a unique day. It will be a part of my history and my memory. I am thanking my family, mainly my parents who are in Brazil. Thank you to my brother, who is here. I love every moment I spend with you. I was not expecting this. Thank you.”
Here is that goal again.
🇧🇷 Guilherme Madruga
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 14, 2023
⚽ Botafogo FC-SP v Novorizontino
📆 June 2023
Footage courtesy of Campeonato Brasileiro Série B & Brax Sports Assets pic.twitter.com/UMt6fS772T
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Up next is the Puskás award, which you all have some thoughts on:
Kári Tulinius writes:
The Puskás Award is the only individual award that makes sense in a team game, though Enciso’s goal should be shared with the entirety of the Brighton side, given they all contributed. That being said, I’d personally give it to Madruga, because when I first saw a clip of it, even knowing I’d be seeing a Puskás contender, I was still startled. It’s the quintessential great goal out of nothing.
Michael Hunt adds:
I feel that two of the goals here are only there because the player did that thing. In this case an overhead and a rabona. Feels a bit like going through a physical transformation for a biopic and expecting the Oscars to flow in. I’m sure there are better goals out there that did add in a wee trick (at least in the rabona’s case here) just for the sake of it. Rant over.
Let’s see who wins!
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Some touching tributes from some members of the audience:
Louis Saha on Sir Bobby Charlton:
I met someone very down to earth in Sir Bobby. He was always supporting to us. He represented the values that I joined the club for. He always had a smile on his face.
Ronaldo on Mário Zagallo:
He has written history. It’s very hard to follow his steps. We have lost so much. Our t-shirt of the national team represents all the enthusiasm he conveyed when we played.
Paul Breitner on Franz Beckenbauer:
The best and most important player of German football. It was a great honour to play by his side.
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A break from the awards now as Fifa plays tribute to Sir Bobby Charlton, Franz Beckenbauer and Mário Zagallo. Three legends of the game we lost in 2023 and 2024.
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Brazil's senior men's team win Fifa's Fairplay Award
Brazil win the award after donning black shirts in a friendly to showcase solidarity with Vinicius Junior who was the target of racist abuse in La Liga.
Six Brazilian legends including Cafu and Ronaldo accept the award on behalf of the national team.
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Ederson wins The Best Fifa Men’s Goalkeeper
“Thanks to my family. My wife and my children. They are very important to me. Thank you to the players. It was a great year.”
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Mary Earps wins The Best Fifa Women’s Goalkeeper
The England and Manchester United keeper wins it for a second year in a row.
“Thank you very very much. Last year, when I won this award I didn’t get in team of the year, so I thought I would be done for the night.
“Thank you to all my coaches at England and United. I am just blown away. I talk a lot obviously about how it hasn’t been an easy journey. Some would say I took the scenic route. But it made me feel so much prepared for the challenges ahead.
“If you’re struggling and going through hell, keep going. It’s never too late to be exactly who you are.”
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And now the results of the 2023 Fifa FIFPRO Women’s World XI.
✨ This is the 2023 FIFA FIFPRO Women's #World11, as chosen by players worldwide.@FIFAWWC | @FIFAcom | #TheBest pic.twitter.com/DYq0F2NAzJ
— FIFPRO (@FIFPRO) January 15, 2024
Nine of the 11 are in attendance and lineup on the stage with their trophies.
A bit of a strange formation here with a 3-3-4. And Alex Morgan somehow still makes this list despite it not being 2015 any more.
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Sarina Wiegman wins The Best Fifa Women’s Coach
“Some of you are thinking ‘there she is again’. I am so sorry for that. Thank you o the EFA for all your support. Thank you for all the staff. And thank you to the players. Lots of things were thrown in front of us and we did so well. Thank you to my family for being my biggest fan.
“Emma and Jonatan: Congratulations on your achievements. Thank you for the great collaboration we have with the England players that play for your clubs [Chelsea and Barcelona]
“Thank you to the non-visible coaches. For inspiring young girls and boys. We, at the senior level, benefit from your work.”
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Henry asks Guardiola which of his two treble-winning teams was better and he immediately says ‘F—k’ as a response before giving an incredibly diplomatic answer that does not answer the question.
Next, we get the results of the 2023 Fifa FIFPRO Men’s World XI.
These eleven awards are for the players voted for by the players.
🚨 Introducing the 2023 FIFA FIFPRO Men's #World11, voted for exclusively by players.#TheBest | @FIFAWorldCup | @FIFAcom pic.twitter.com/nZjisXo8OQ
— FIFPRO (@FIFPRO) January 15, 2024
Understandably, it’s a team stacked with Manchester City players.
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After his acceptance speech, Guardiola is asked by the hosts what the difference was between his treble at Barcelona and Manchester City.
“Barcelona will always have my heart. My first love in football. But with City it is special because we had never been here before.”
Pep Guardiola wins The Best Fifa Men’s Coach
“I want to share this award with Simone Inzaghi and Luciano Spalletti.
“Our owners of Man City and our CEO for starting the brilliant idea of City football group.
“On behalf of my backroom staff and myself I want to say thank you to our players for what they have done for this club for many many years. Living with you has been a pleasure.
“Thank you to my dad. I am so happy he is here tonight and of course my brothers and sisters. Thank you to my kids and my wife. It would never be possible to live as a professional without her.”
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Our hosts are now taking us through how the voting works. I won’t bore you with the details simply because I explained it earlier on. Always ahead of schedule, I am.
We are also told that a full breakdown of who voted for who will be available after the show on Fifa’s website. I am sure that it won’t be fully analysed and discussed on Twitter/X all throughout the evening.
Henry and Chowdhury begin with an introduction on how 2023 was a great year for women’s football after a widely successful Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
We then get a montage of some of the tournament’s greatest moments alongside a dance group’s performance.
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The award show has began. Our hosts for the evening will be the former France footballer Thierry Henry and British sports broadcaster and presenter Reshmin Chowdhury.
Duda Pavao will be conducting interviews in the audience throughout the night.
Some of the nominees and other football stars of past and present have begun to make their way down the green carpet in London.
And here is a refresher on those Puskás goals.
🇵🇾 Julio Enciso
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) January 14, 2024
⚽ Brighton v Manchester City
📆 May 2023
Footage courtesy of the Premier League pic.twitter.com/RFO3zbQTDP
🇧🇷 Guilherme Madruga
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) January 14, 2024
⚽ Botafogo FC-SP v Novorizontino
📆 June 2023
Footage courtesy of Campeonato Brasileiro Série B & Brax Sports Assets pic.twitter.com/37xi1PQEzl
🇵🇹 Nuno Santos
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) January 14, 2024
⚽ Sporting v Boavista
📆 March 2023
Footage courtesy of Liga Portugal Betclic & Sport TV pic.twitter.com/BjOmciGhlp
Who decides the winners, you may be asking? According to Fifa the winners of the awards “are selected by an international jury comprising the current coaches of all national teams (one per team), the current captains of all national teams (one per team), one specialist journalist from each territory represented by a national team and fans from all over the world registered on FIFA.com”.
The categories and finalists
The Best Fifa Men’s Player
Erling Haaland (Manchester City and Norway)
Kylian Mbappé (Paris Saint-Germain and France)
Lionel Messi (Paris Saint-Germain / Inter Miami and Argentina)
The Best Fifa Women’s Player
Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona and Spain)
Linda Caicedo (Deportivo Cali / Real Madrid and Colombia)
Jenni Hermoso (Pachuca and Spain)
The Best Fifa Men’s Goalkeeper
Yassine Bounou (Sevilla / Al Hilal and Morocco)
Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid and Belgium)
Ederson (Manchester City and Brazil)
The Best Fifa Women’s Goalkeeper
Mackenzie Arnold (West Ham United and Australia)
Cata Coll (Barcelona and Spain)
Mary Earps (Manchester United and England)
The Best Fifa Men’s Coach
Pep Guardiola (Manchester City)
Simone Inzaghi (Inter Milan)
Luciano Spalletti (Italy / Napoli)
The Best Fifa Women’s Coach
Jonatan Giráldez (Barcelona)
Emma Hayes (Chelsea)
Sarina Wiegman (England)
Fifa Puskás Award
Julio Enciso: Brighton v Manchester City – Premier League (24 May 2023)
Guilherme Madruga: Novorizontino v Botafogo – Brasileirão Série B (27 June 2023)
Nuno Santos: Sporting v Boavista – Primeira Liga (12 March 2023)
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Preamble
Good evening! World football have gathered in London tonight to honour the best of the best (according to Fifa) with various awards and to celebrate the happenings in football in the past year.
Naturally, I am also on hand to keep you updated on the cringey moments, interesting speeches and the best (and worst) dressed of the night.
Any thoughts, questions, musings, deliberations, qualms or complaints you want to share can be sent to me by email.
