Monday night’s red-carpet event at Hammersmith's Eventim Apollo saw a cavalcade of limos draw up outside the famous venue to hail world football's 2023 cream of the crop.
Chelsea Women’s manager Emma Hayes narrowly lost out to England coach Sarina Wiegman as The Best FIFA Football Awards, FIFA’s equivalent of the Ballon d’Or, was staged at the Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith for the first time.
Lionesses head coach Wiegman retained her title as best women’s coach, making it four victories in seven years. Hayes, looking smart in a sparkly black dress for the occasion, was just pipped to the main prize, with Barcelona’s Jonatan Giraldez third.
“I feel a little bit overwhelmed; I’m so honoured to be awarded again,” said Sarina, whose new three-year England contract was promptly announced.
Chelsea stars
Two Chelsea Women’s stars made the Women’s World Xl line-up. The grey-suited Lauren James and Sam Kerr, who is missing the rest of Chelsea’s busy season with ligament damage, were both included.
It was a glitzy night at the Apollo, with all the award contenders in posh evening dress as they took to the famous stage in front of hundreds of footballing stars.
Lionel Messi was once again player of the year, but only beat Manchester City’s Erling Haaland by a whisker with the pair finally separated by a tiebreaker.
With Messi unable to make it to the Apollo, Thierry Henry collected the trophy on his behalf. Kylian Mbappe was third, with Aitana Bonmati nudging Linda Caicedo and Jennifer Hermoso into second and third places as best women’s player.
Pep Guardiola was best men’s coach, in a natty pair of white designer trainers, while Ederson won the goalie award. England’s Mary Earps retained the title of women’s goalie of the year, and said: “It feels even more special to win consecutive awards; to have a level of consistency is the most difficult thing you can do in football.”
Brazil won the team fair play prize, while the fans’ award went to Hugo Ingesa, a supporter of the Argentinian club Colon, who bottle-fed his young son at a match... an image which went viral.
The choice of winners was made by a jury of national team coaches, national team captains, football journalists and fans.
Chelsea goalie Zecira Musovic was on the long list as a contender for women’s goalkeeper of the year.
It’s the third time FIFA has held its award ceremony in London after past events at the Palladium and the Royal Festival Hall, but it’s the first time Hammersmith has hosted the event.
