The best FIFA mens player award, introduced in 2016, recognizes the top male football player each year, replacing the FIFA World Player of the Year.
In 2010, FIFA merged this award with the Ballon d’Or, creating the FIFA Ballon d’Or, which was dominated by Messi and Ronaldo. The merger ended in 2016, and the Best FIFA mens player award was reintroduced.
Here, we highlight the top players who have won the prestigious best FIFA mens player award.
List of Best FIFA Mens Player Award
| Rank | Player | Year(s) Won | Key Achievements |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lionel Messi | 2019, 2022, 2023 | FIFA World Cup 2022, 8 Ballon d’Or titles |
| 2 | Cristiano Ronaldo | 2016, 2017 | UEFA Champions League, European Championship with Portugal |
| 3 | Robert Lewandowski | 2020, 2021 | Record goals in Bundesliga, moved to FC Barcelona |
| 4 | Luka Modrić | 2018 | UEFA Champions League, FIFA World Cup Golden Ball |
1. Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi, regarded as one of the greatest football players, has won the Best FIFA Men’s Player Award three times: in 2019, 2022, and 2023. His crowning moment came in 2022, leading Argentina to a World Cup victory. With eight Ballon d’Or titles and 45 major trophies, the best FIFA Men’s Player Award highlights his legendary status in football history.
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2. Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo is often mentioned as one of the greatest football players in history. In 2016, he was honored with the inaugural best FIFA Mens player award, a recognition he claimed again in 2017. That year, Ronaldo played a pivotal role in Real Madrid’s success, leading the team to victory in both the UEFA Champions League and the FIFA Club World Cup. Additionally, he helped Portugal secure the UEFA European Championship title. He finished 2016 with an impressive 42 goals for Real Madrid and 13 for Portugal. His remarkable performance carried over into 2017, where he once again contributed to Real Madrid’s UEFA Champions League triumph and earned his second best FIFA mens player award.
3. Robert Lewandowski
The Polish striker Robert Lewandowski won the best FIFA mens player award in back-to-back years, 2020 and 2021, during his time with Bayern Munich. In 2020, he set remarkable records, including scoring 41 goals in a single Bundesliga season and 43 goals in a calendar year, both of which were new milestones. Although the Ballon d’Or was cancelled that year due to the pandemic, many fans believed Lewandowski deserved the award, and he was instead honored with the best FIFA mens player award. Lewandowski, who now plays for FC Barcelona, continues to be a key goal-scorer in 2024, with the best FIFA mens player award still fresh in fans’ memories.
4. Luka Modrić
Luka Modrić, the Croatian midfielder, won the best FIFA mens Player Award in 2018 after an outstanding year with Real Madrid. He also won the Ballon d’Or that same year. Modrić played a pivotal role in helping Real Madrid win several titles, including the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, Spanish Super Cup, and the FIFA Club World Cup. On the international stage, he led Croatia to the 2018 FIFA World Cup final and won the tournament’s Golden Ball award. Modrić’s achievements that year solidified his place among the best players in the world.
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