La Liga club Barcelona commented on the award of the Blaugrana graduate, Inter Miami and Argentina striker Lionel Messi. He was named the best footballer of 2023 according to FIFA.
"Congratulations, Leo! GOAT" - the official social media account of the team said.
The Best FIFA Football Awards ceremony was held in London on January 15. The 36-year-old Argentine was recognized as the best player in the world in 2023, and was also included in the symbolic team of the year.
Messi received the same number of votes as Manchester City and Norway striker Erling Haaland, but received the award because of more votes from the captains of the national teams. Messi himself decided not to attend the ceremony, with some media outlets linking his absence to an insider's report that Haaland may get the award.