Just like the Ballon d’Or, FIFA The Best is one of the most prestigious awards in football. It is awarded to the footballer who has been in the best form throughout the year. However, the award has often been surrounded by controversy.
Last year, many were surprised when Lionel Messi won the FIFA The Best award, as Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé had arguably been in better form throughout the year. Although Messi and Haaland were closely contested, Messi ultimately won through captain votes.
This year, however, Brazilian star Vinícius Júnior surpassed both Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé to claim the prestigious award.
Read More:
» VAR : The Touch of Technology in Football
» Most runs in Champions trophy history : Gayle leads the chart
FIFA, the highest governing body in football, introduced this award in 1991. Initially, it was called the FIFA World Player of the Year. From 2010 to 2015, FIFA merged this award with the Ballon d’Or, naming it the FIFA Ballon d’Or. However, since 2016, the award has been known as The Best FIFA Football Awards.
This award recognizes the best male and female players, coaches, and goalkeepers of the year. The nomination, selection, and voting process go through multiple stages and criteria before the winners are determined.
Since its inception in 1991, Lionel Messi has won this award a record eight times—in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2022, and 2023. His arch-rival, Cristiano Ronaldo, follows with five wins—in 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2017. Together, they have claimed the award 13 times, a record unmatched in football history.
FIFA The Best Award Winners at a Glance
| Year | Name | Country |
| 1991 | Lothar Matthäus | Germany |
| 1992 | Marco van Basten | Netherlands |
| 1993 | Roberto Baggio | Italy |
| 1994 | Romário | Brazil |
| 1995 | George Weah | Liberia |
| 1996 | Ronaldo | Brazil |
| 1997 | Ronaldo | Brazil |
| 1998 | Zinedine Zidane | France |
| 1999 | Rivaldo | Brazil |
| Year | Name | Country |
| 2000 | Zinedine Zidane | France |
| 2001 | Luís Figo | Portugal |
| 2002 | Ronaldo | Brazil |
| 2003 | Zinedine Zidane | France |
| 2004 | Ronaldinho | Brazil |
| 2005 | Ronaldinho | Brazil |
| 2006 | Fabio Cannavaro | Italy |
| 2007 | Kaká | Brazil |
| 2008 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Portugal |
| Year | Name | Country |
| 2009 | Lionel Messi | Argentina |
| 2010 | Lionel Messi | Argentina |
| 2011 | Lionel Messi | Argentina |
| 2012 | Lionel Messi | Argentina |
| 2013 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Portugal |
| 2014 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Portugal |
| 2015 | Lionel Messi | Argentina |
| 2016 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Portugal |
| 2017 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Portugal |
| 2018 | Luka Modrić | Croatia |
| 2019 | Lionel Messi | Argentina |
| 2020 | Robert Lewandowski | Poland |
| 2021 | Robert Lewandowski | Poland |
| 2022 | Lionel Messi | Argentina |
| 2023 | Lionel Messi | Argentina |
| 2024 | Vinícius Júnior | Brazil |
crifosports/02March25/TH/SA
