Lionel Messi crowned winner of FIFA Football Awards 2023 in London

Evans Gyamera-Antwi
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Lionel Messi crowned winner of FIFA Football Awards 2023 in London
  • Lionel Messi retained his title, winning the top men’s player award
  • Aitana Bonmatí was acclaimed as the best player in the women’s game
  • Mary Earps, Ederson, Sarina Wiegman, Pep Guardiola, Guilherme Madruga and Marta amongst other winners

The Best FIFA Football Awards 2023™ ceremony, held in London on Monday, 15 January, crowned Aitana Bonmatí and Lionel Messi as the outstanding players since the last edition, alongside recognising the outstanding performances of coaches, goalkeepers, and more across the men’s and women’s game.

The winners of The Best FIFA Football Awards 2023 are:

Lionel Messi has been crowned The Best FIFA Men’s Player 2023, retaining the title he won in 2022. Messi topped an incredibly closely contested poll, which was voted for by national team coaches and captains, as well as expert journalists and supporters across the globe.

With the FIFA World Cup 2022™ winner and Manchester City FC and Norway international forward Erling Haaland locked together on 48 points, they were separated by the number of first-choice nominations received in votes from national team captains, as per the Rules of Allocation (article 12). France striker Kylian Mbappe finished third with 35 points. 

Aitana Bonmatí has been named The Best FIFA Women’s Player for the first time. The coveted award is richly deserved for this magnificent midfielder, who in 2023 inspired Spain to their maiden world title, and Barcelona to a domestic and European treble. 

In topping the poll, which followed the same protocol as the men’s award but with women’s national team coaches and captains voting, Bonmatí succeeded her team-mate, 2022 winner Alexia Putellas, fending off competition from fellow finalists Linda Caicedo and Jennifer Hermoso.

Mary Earps has been voted The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper for a second successive year, becoming the first two-time winner in the award’s history.

Earps dazzled once again as the Lionesses won the Finalissima, and reached their first-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup™ final. Outstanding saves and shootout heroics paved the way to both of those achievements, with Earps’ displays at the latter tournament rewarded with the adidas Golden Glove award. She was also named the best ‘keeper in England’s WSL, having racked up a remarkable 14 clean sheets from just 22 Manchester United appearances last season.

Ederson has been named as The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper of 2023. The Brazilian shot-stopper was awarded the honour following a stellar year in which the 30-year-old backstopped Manchester City’s historic treble-winning campaign.

Ederson topped the poll with 23 points, ahead of fellow finalists Thibaut Courtois (20 points) and Yassine Bounou (16 points).

Sarina Wiegman has been named The Best FIFA Women’s Coach for 2023. The England boss enjoyed a record-breaking year in which she led the Lionesses to the final of the FIFA Women’s World Cup™, and the Arnold Clark Cup and Women’s Finalissima titles.

Wiegman beat Emma Hayes and Jonatan Giraldez to the honour at The Best FIFA Football Awards™ on Monday with 28 points, ahead of Hayes’ 18 points, and Giraldez’s return of 14 points.

Pep Guardiola has been named The Best FIFA Men’s Coach 2023 after overseeing an incredible period of success at Manchester City. The Spaniard led the club to a historic Premier League, UEFA Champions League, and FA Cup treble in 2022/23.

Guardiola’s all-conquering team won a further two trophies in 2023, lifting the UEFA Super Cup before rounding off the calendar year in perfect style by triumphing at the FIFA Club World Cup™.

Guardiola came out on top in the voting with 28 points, ahead of Italian duo Luciano Spalletti (18 points) and Simone Inzaghi (11 points).

The Best FIFA Football Awards ceremony also recognised the standout goal of the year as Brazilian midfielder Guilherme Madruga won the FIFA Puskás Award 2023 for his astonishing overhead kick.

The Botafogo-SP star’s acrobatic effort came out on top ahead of an audacious rabona from Sporting’s Nuno Santos, and Brighton teenager Julio Enciso’s long-range thunderbolt.

The accolade recognises the most spectacular goal in men’s and women’s football across the qualification period, which was between 19 December 2022 and 20 August 2023, and is named in honour of legendary Hungarian forward Ferenc Puskás.

Marta was honoured with The FIFA Special Award in recognition of her illustrious career. She scored a staggering 115 goals in 175 appearances for Brazil and inspired millions, passing on her passion for football in a career that saw her reign supreme in Brazil, Sweden and the USA.

As of 2025, FIFA will introduce a new award to honour her legendary achievements – the best goal scored in women’s football will receive the ‘Marta Award’.

Hugo Daniel “Toto” Iniguez was awarded The FIFA Fan Award for 2023, after the dedicated Colon de Santa Fe fan went viral after he was seen feeding his son during an Argentine Primera Division game against Barracas Central in May 2023.

The heart-warming scene displayed the father’s desire to build a relationship between his two-month-old son and his favourite club from the earliest possible age, with the moment now cemented in history.

The Brazil men’s national team were recognised with the FIFA Fair Play award for their powerful stand against racism. In a friendly against Guinea in June 2023, The Seleção swapped their traditional yellow jerseys for an all-black kit in a show of solidarity with star forward Vinicius Junior, who had been subjected to sickening racist abuse while in action for Real Madrid.

The Best FIFA Football awards™ 2023 ceremony concluded a thorough and democratic process facilitated by FIFA to recognise world football’s top players, coaches, goalkeepers, fans, goals, and acts of fair play.

Pep Guardiola wins Best Coach at FIFA Football Awards 2023

Evans Gyamera-Antwi
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Pep Guardiola wins Best Coach at FIFA Football Awards 2023

The Blues boss manager won it all in the year under review and crowned it with the latest awards

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has been adjusted as the Best Coach of the Year at the FIFA Football Awards 2023 held in London on Monday night.

The former Barcelona gaffer led City to win a treble including Premier League, FA Cup and Uefa Champions League and become only the first coach to achieve that feat with two different clubs.

Guardiola beat off competitions from Simone Inzaghi (Italy / FC Internazionale Milano) and Luciano Spalletti (Italy / SSC Napoli) who led Napoli to win their first Scudetto in almost four decades.

Asante Kotoko unveil new signing Emmanuel Kotei

Evans Gyamera-Antwi
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Asante Kotoko unveil new signing Emmanuel Kotei

The youngster has joined the Porcupine Warriors after stellar performances for Nsoatreman

Asante Kotoko have announced the signing of defender Emmanuel Kotei from Nsoatreman FC, the two clubs have officially confirmed.

Kotei arrives at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium as Kotoko look to improve their defence in an attempt to snatch the Premier League trophy this season.

More to follow

The Best FIFA Football Awards 2023 winners set to be crowned on Monday 15 January in London

Evans Gyamera-Antwi
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The Best FIFA Football Awards 2023 winners set to be crowned on Monday 15 January in London

Reshmin Chowdhury and Thierry Henry to lead The Best FIFA Football Awards presenting team
Extensive and democratic process implemented to determine award winners


Prominent British sports broadcaster and presenter Reshmin Chowdhury and FIFA World Cup™ winner Thierry Henry will present The Best FIFA Football Awards in London on Monday, 15 January 2024.

The players, coaches, and other football figures who have made their mark on the beautiful game since the last edition of The Best FIFA Football Awards™ will be recognised in London, where the awards ceremony is returning for the third time.

It is also a hat-trick for Chowdhury, who is presenting the event for the third time following the 2020 and 2021 online shows. A multilingual British sports broadcaster and experienced event host, Chowdhury has anchored multiple football broadcasts, including the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ with BBC Sport and the FIFA World Cup 2022™ in Qatar with BeIn Sports.

Henry needs little introduction following a trophy-filled playing career during which he won the FIFA World Cup™ with France in 1998, the FIFA Confederations Cup™ in 2003, and the FIFA Club World Cup™ 2009 while at FC Barcelona.

Read more here (This article also avaliable in French, Spanish, German and Arabic)

When were the award periods?
The award period for the women’s accolades – The Best FIFA Women’s Player, The Best FIFA Women’s Coach and The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper – was between 1 August 2022 and 20 August 2023 (the date of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ final) inclusive. The award period for the men’s prizes – The Best FIFA Men’s Player, The Best FIFA Men’s Coach and The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper – was between 19 December 2022 and 20 August 2023 inclusive.

How were the shortlists drawn up?
Nominations for the awards were compiled by FIFA in collaboration with football stakeholders. Later, shortlists were determined by two separate panels of experts in men’s and women’s football. These panels comprised respected former players and coaches.

Who featured on the expert panels?

Women’s awards: Mercy Akide (Nigeria), Shirley Cruz (Costa Rica), Amy Duggan (Australia), Isabella Echeverri (Colombia), Mia Hamm (USA), Jessica Houara (France), Mana Iwabuchi (Japan), Manon Melis (Netherlands), Patrizia Panico (Italy), Clémentine Touré (Côte d’Ivoire) and Kirsty Yallop (New Zealand). Men’s awards: Petr Čech (Czechia), Didier Drogba (Côte d’Ivoire), Brett Emerton (Australia), Rio Ferdinand (England), Asamoah Gyan (Ghana), Kaká (Brazil), Mario Kempes (Argentina), Alexi Lalas (USA), Jon Obi Mikel (Nigeria), Park Ji-sung (Korea Republic) and Ivan Vicelich (New Zealand).

Which players, coaches and goalkeepers were shortlisted?
FIFA published the shortlists for the respective award categories, on Thursday, 14 September 2023.

How does the voting work?
The winners of The Best FIFA Women’s Player, The Best FIFA Men’s Player, The Best FIFA Women’s Coach, The Best FIFA Men’s Coach, The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper and The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper awards are selected by an international jury comprising the current coaches of all women’s/men’s national teams (one per team), the current captains of all women’s/men’s 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.

Each jury member was requested to nominate, in decreasing order of merit, the three players, three coaches and three goalkeepers whom they considered to be most deserving of the respective award. The three players, three coaches and three goalkeepers nominated by each jury member will receive five points, three points, or one points respectively, depending on whether the jury member places the player, coach, or goalkeeper first (five points), second (three points) or third (one point).

The award is bestowed upon the player, coach or goalkeeper in each particular award category who received the most scoring points.

For the avoidance of doubt, women’s national-team coaches and captains voted for women’s awards, while men’s national-team coaches and captains voted for men’s awards.

Ghanaian fan arrested in Cote d’Ivoire for attacking Chris Hughton after Cape Verde defeat

Evans Gyamera-Antwi
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Ghanaian fan arrested in Cote d’Ivoire for attacking Chris Hughton after Cape Verde defeat

An unnamed supporter from Ghana could not control himself as he attacked the Black Stars coach which has led to his arrest

Ghana coach Chris Hughton was attacked by a supporter following Black Stars’ 2-1 defeat to Cape Verde in the opening Group B game at 2023 Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday night.

Jamiro Montero gave Cape Verde the lead after only 17 minutes when he tapped in from close range after goalkeeper Richard Ofori had made a save.

Alexander Djiku pulled even for Ghana by the 56th minute after connecting a Jordan Ayew corner kick but Garry Rodriguez broke Ghanaians heart deep in an additional time when Gilson Taveres pass found him.

After the game, a lot of travelling Ghanaian supporters charged on the coach to demand answers for such an abysmal performance from his players.

One of the supporters physically assaulted the former Brighton and Hove Albion manager which led to his arrest while the other supporters around were dispersed with the help of some Ghanaian diplomats at the scene.

The defeat to Cape Verde means that Ghana have now picked one win in their last ten games at the Africa Cup of Nations since winning the quarterfinal fixture in 2017.

The Black Stars are yet to pick a win in two Afcon competitions after drawing two games and losing against Comoros at the 2021 edition held in Cameroon.

Ghana will face Egypt in the second game of the group on Thursday and another defeat would mean the Black Stars are out of the competition.

Highlights: Ghana 1-2 Cape Verde: Chris Hughton’s poor tactics leads Black Stars into a ditch

Evans Gyamera-Antwi
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Highlights: Ghana 1-2 Cape Verde: Chris Hughton’s poor tactics leads Black Stars into a ditch

The Black Stars suffered another shocking start to the Afcon ongoing in Cote d’Ivoire as they lost to the minnows

Ghana were pipped 2-1 by Cape Verde in the opening Group B game in 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire.

After a dreadful preparation prior to the game, where many Ghanaians argued that the team was in poor shape, it became evidently clear as the Blue Sharks shocked Chris Hughton’s men.

Jamiro Montero shot Cape Verde into the lead after only 17 minutes after goalkeeper Richard Ofori’s blocked was tapped in.

Ghana thought they had found the equaliser twenty minutes later when Majeed Ashimeru’s powerful drive beat everyone but the referee ruled it as offside after consulting VAR.

After the break, Alexander Djiku pulled even for Ghana by the 56th minute after connecting a Jordan Ayew corner kick.

Garry Rodriguez broke Ghanaians heart deep in an additional time when Gilson Taveres.

Click on the Highlights

Kudus out as Andre Ayew, Inaki and others benched against Cape Verde

Evans Gyamera-Antwi
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Kudus out as Andre Ayew, Inaki and others benched against Cape Verde

The Black Stars are set to play their first game at the Afcon with many players missing

Ghana coach Chris Hughton has named a relatively different players as expected as Ghana face Cape Verde in the first game of Group at 2023 Africa Cup of Nations ongoing in Cote d’Ivoire.

West Ham United forward Kudus Mohammed is out of the game due to injury, while as skipper Andre Ayew, Inaki and others have been benched.

Ghana vs Cape Verde: Predicted lineup, confirmed team news and injury latest for AFCON 2023 game

Evans Gyamera-Antwi
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Ghana vs Cape Verde: Predicted lineup, confirmed team news and injury latest for AFCON 2023 game

The Black Stars head into another competition with many having doubts about the team’s chances of lifting the trophy in Abidjan

Ghana coach Chris Hughton is under immense pressure to deliver as the Black Stars head into 2023 Africa Cup of Nations with many absentees and minor injuries.

Arsenal midfielder Thomas Teye Partey, Brighton defender Tariq Lamptey and Southampton winger Kamaldeen Sulemana have been ruled out of the tournament after failing to recover from the treatment room which has left Hughton to deal with those available.

West Ham United forward Mohammed Kudus arrived late in camp and could only train with the team once as well as missing the only friendly game against Namibia at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi.

However, captain Andre Remi Morgan Dede Ayew is available and fully fit to start against Cape Verde on Sunday night. Ayew would be making history on Sunday as he mark his eight appearances at different Afcon competitions since making his debut in 2008, missing only the 2013 edition.

Ayew, with 34 games, will also be edging closer to another history as he is only three games away from becoming the most capped player at the competition together with Rigobert Song who is now in charge of Cameroon as the coach.

Although, Cape Verde aren’t a force in African football, their recent crop of players look set to make names for themselves.

Cape Verde don’t boast of household names kr superstars but their collective nature in games make them a formidable side. Even in the qualifiers prior to this tournament, the Blue Sharks had eight different goalscorers in their games. In a team where everyone could man up and become the hero at any point in time, Chris Hughton and his Black Stars should be weary of their opponents.

Having qualified to the round of 16 in the previous Afcon, where Ghana finished their group at the bottom, Cape Verde could prove a hard nut to crack especially since they don’t have any injury concerns in camp.

Ghana predicted XI vs Cape Verde:

Richard Ofori; Alidu Seidu, Nicholas Opoku, Daniel Amartey, Gideon Mensah; Abdul Samed, Baba, Mohamed Kudus; Jordan Ayew, Inaki Williams, Antoine Semenyo

Cape Verde predicted XI vs Ghana:

Vozinha; Semedo, Borges, Pico, Stopira; Rocha, Costa, Monteiro; Mendes, Rodrigues, Bebe

Time: 20:00 GMT

Venue: Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan

Chris Hughton gives latest update on ‘important player’ Kudus Mohammed

Evans Gyamera-Antwi
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Chris Hughton gives latest update on ‘important player’ Kudus Mohammed

The Hammers forward is yet to touch base at the Black Stars camp but Chris Hughton is optimistic of his participation at the Africa Cup of Nations

Ghana coach Chris Hughton has refuted reports suggesting that West Ham United star Mohammed Kudus may not be part of the Black Stars squad for 2023 Africa Cup of Nations which kicks off next week in Cote d’Ivore.

Ghana opened camp in Kumasi last week to fine tune ahead of the tournament but Kudus has since been absent.

Initial reports suggested that he was lacking commitment towards national duties and planning to miss the competition because of a minor injury he picked while playing against Arsenal in the Premier League.

However, Hughton who was speaking to the media after Ghana failed to defeat Namibia in an international friendly at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Monday evening denied the claims.

“Kudus is an important player for us better at the moment he’s nursing an injury but hopefully he will be joining the team tomorrow as we prepare for the AFCON ahead us in Ivory Coast,” Hughton said as quoted by AshesGyamera.com.

“As you can see, there was no Samed Salis today because he also picked up a knock during our last training before today’s game. Same as Bournemouth Star Antoine Semenyo who was also feeling ill this morning but hopefully they will all be okay by tomorrow to help our preparation,” he adde

The Black Stars will leave Ghana to Cote d’Ivore on Wednesday as they hope to end their trophy drought since they last lifted a major trophy by winning 1982 Afcon in Libya.

By: Benjamin Owusu

Namibia coach Benjamin sends strong warning to opponents ahead of 2023 Afcon

Evans Gyamera-Antwi
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Namibia coach Benjamin sends strong warning to opponents ahead of 2023 Afcon

The Brave Warriors gaffer has warned his group opponents to be weary of his side after they shared the spoils goalless with Ghana in a pre-tournament friendly

Namibia coach Collin Benjamin has issued a stern warning to teams that will be facing his side in the upcoming 2023 Africa Cup of Nation in Ivory Coast.

With the tournament expected to kick off on January 13, 2024, the Namibians, who are currently ranked 115th according to FIFA’s December ranking find themselves in Group E alongside The Catage Eagles of Tunisia, The Eagles of Mali and The Bafana Bafana of South Africa.

However, according to their coach he is confident his side will do well in the upcoming tournament.

Speaking after his side held the Black Stars of Ghana to a goalless draw at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi on Monday night, he expressed his joy at the performance of his team and promised a good showing at the upcoming tournament in Ivory Coast.

“We showed we are hungry and ready for anything and as you can see a hungry man is an angry man so we are ready for any opponents that come our way,” he said.

“Ghana is always a favorite when it comes to the African Cup of Nations so for us to be able to handle them like the way we did tells how prepared we are as a team and our main objective for this year is to do better than we did in the previous tournament,” he added.

Namibia has only been at the Africa Cup of Nations on three occasions (1998, 2008 and 2019) but have always exited at the group stage.

By: Benjamin Owusu

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