Inter Miami and Argentina forward Lionel Messi has clinched The Best FIFA Men’s Player of the Year for 2023. The 36-year-old successfully fended off competition from Manchester City striker Erling Haaland and former Paris Saint-Germain teammate Kylian Mbappe, securing his second consecutive win of the prestigious award.

This marks Messi’s third triumph since the award’s inception in 2016, solidifying his standing as the player with the most The Best FIFA Men’s Player titles, surpassing both Cristiano Ronaldo and Robert Lewandowski.

The voting process for this accolade engaged fans, players, managers, and journalists. The evaluation period spanned from the day after the 2022 World Cup final—where Messi lifted the trophy—until August 20, 2023.

Messi’s impactful year included contributing significantly to PSG’s Ligue 1 title victory before making a move to MLS side Inter Miami. Shortly after joining, he swiftly secured the Leagues Cup, adding another prestigious trophy to his collection just a day before the voting period concluded.

Throughout this timeframe, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner achieved remarkable milestones, including scoring his 700th career club goal, his 800th goal in total, and his 100th international goal. He also marked his 1,000th direct club goal involvement.

Despite facing stiff competition, Messi’s recognition as The Best FIFA Men’s Player comes as a notable accomplishment, especially with contenders like Haaland, who played a pivotal role in Manchester City’s treble-winning season with 52 goals in 53 games. Additionally, Mbappe’s impressive 41 goals in 43 games contributed significantly to PSG’s Ligue 1 title alongside Messi.

Messi’s win reinforces his status as a football icon, with his exceptional skills and contributions continuing to captivate the footballing world.