Argentine star Lionel Messi is the FIFA men’s player of the year .

The  36 year old was confirmed as the 2023 winner at the best FIFA Football Awards ceremony held in London today, however, Messi was not present at the function as he was with his Inter Miami teammates preparing for a pre-season friendly against El Salvador on Friday.

Messi topped the vote ahead of fellow finalists Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe.

The Argentina captain had previously won the award for his exploits in 2019 and 2022.

The best Fifa football awards are usually based on performances across a calendar year – unlike the Ballon D’or, which judges players on their achievements over the course of a season.

However, Fifa’s selection criteria for the 2023 men’s Awards was achievements during the period from December 19, 2022 to August 20, 2023.

The Fifa Fair play award went to Brazil, The FIFA Men’s coach of the year prize went to Pep Guardiola after guiding Manchester City to the Uefa Champions League crown, the English Premier League title and the FA Cup, while Ederson of Manchester City was named the Men’s goalkeeper of the year.