Introduction and Overview

- The Best FIFA Football Awards of 2024 are internationally celebrated honours highlighting extraordinary contributions and performance in football for the previous year.

- These awards recognized and celebrated the best players, coaches and teams for their estimable performance in the year 2023.

IOutstanding Award Winners

- The prestigious award for 'Men’s Player of the Year' was given to Lionel Messi. Representing Argentina and Inter Miami, Messi surpassed Erling Haaland in a tiebreaker and became the first player to win this coveted award three times.

- Aitana Bonmati cinched the 'Women’s Player of the Year'. Bonmati, representing Barcelona and the Spanish national team, won many titles and was voted the best player in all of them.

- Pep Guardiola was recognized as the 'Men’s Coach of the Year'. Under Guardiola's guidance, Manchester City saw a historic treble, echoing his extraordinary coaching capabilities.

- Sarina Wiegman, the coach of the England team, was named 'Women’s Coach of the Year', tying the record for most victories in this category.

IIGoalkeeper Recognitions

- The 'Men’s Goalkeeper' award was claimed by Ederson from Manchester City and Brazil.

- Mary Earps, from Manchester United and England, received the 'Women’s Goalkeeper' award.

IV: Other Accolades

- Guilherme Madruga won the FIFA Puskas Award owing to his marvellous overhead kick.

- The 'FIFA Special Award' was earned by the Brazilian football star Marta, and the Brazil men's national team was awarded the 'FIFA Fair Play Award' for their fight against racism.

- Hugo Daniel "Toto" Iniguez, a passionate Argentinian fan, won the FIFA Fan Award 2023.

V: Global Significance for GK and Exam Takers

- Football is the world's most popular sport, and FIFA is the sport's governing body. Knowing the award winners and their contributions add value to general knowledge, current affairs, sports, individuals, and governance sections of the competitive exams.

- Understanding the significance of these awards promotes sporting ethics, sportsmanship, and respect for diversity, crucial for potential candidates for government exams.

- Knowledge about these awards and winners display a candidate's understanding of world events, underscored in almost all government exam syllabi.

- The Best FIFA Football Awards 2024, therefore, weave an important part of current affairs with relevant historical, geographical and contemporary socio-cultural influences, making it significant for comprehensive exam preparation.