There were no surprises at the Eventim Apollo in London, where The Best 2023 awards were presented on Monday. However, some of the most decorated individuals were absent. Some of the nominees and most influential figures were absent, including Lionel Messi himself. Messi was the winner of the night. 

The winners of the Best Male and Female Player categories were Lionel Messi and Aitana Bonmatí. Pep Guardiola and Sarina Wiegman won the male and female coach of the year awards respectively. Ederson and Mary Ears were the winners in the goalkeeper category. Finally, the Fair Play Award for the 2023 tournament went to the Brazilian national team. 

The ceremony highlighted the importance of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and was a spectacle that looked back on an exciting 2022-23 football season. Many of the final decisions came down to how the competition was run and finished. The event was hosted by former French footballer Thierry Henry and British presenter Reshmin Chowdhury. 

The ceremony began with the award for Best Coach award. Guardiola, Inzaghi, and Spalletti were in the running to succeed Lionel Scaloni. The winner was Manchester City's Catalan coach, who said: "I share this award with Spalletti and Inzaghi. Luciano, you've had a great season with Napoli. Simone, I only know how difficult it was to beat you in the final. I also share this award with the owners of City. And to Ferran Soriano and Txiki (Begiristain), who trusted me with this project".

They started with the best female coach. The nominees were Jonatan Giráldez, Emma Hayes and Sarina Wiegman. England coach and World Cup runner-up Sarina Wiegman won the award and thanked the other two finalists: "I'm very proud of everyone. My family are my number one fans. They have always supported me. Jonatan, Emma, congratulations on the successes you have achieved and will continue to achieve. Thank you for the work that you do with the England players you manage". 

Next up was the award for the best female player in the 2023 squad. The winners were Mary Earps, Lucy Bronze, Alex Greenwood, Olga Carmona, Alessia Russo, Lauren James, Keira Walsh, Ella Toone, Aitana Bonmati, Alex Morgan and Sam Kerr.

Next up was the award for best goalkeeper. Cata Coll (Barcelona), Mary Earps (Manchester United) and Mackenzie Arnold (West Ham) were nominated. The winner was Manchester United and England goalkeeper Mary Earps, who expressed her surprise at winning the award: "Last year I thought I had already reached the pinnacle by being in the Ideal XI. This is incredible. I never expected this. It has not been an easy journey. I had to wait many years, and looking back, I think it was worth it." 

Al Hilal's Yassine Bounou, Real Madrid's Thibaut Courtois and Manchester City's Ederson were nominated for the Best Goalkeeper award. The winner was Ederson, who thanked God and said: "I want to thank God for everything I have achieved. And to the team and the coaching staff. I left a lot behind to come here and I am very happy to receive this trophy."

The Fair Play Award. The nominees were Brazil, Montevideo City U16 and Polvan Boekel. The winners were legends such as Cafu, Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos, who were joined by the Brazilian national team. 

There was a moment in the ceremony when three deceased legends of world football were remembered: Bobby Charlton, Mario Zagallo and Franz Beckenbauer. Between them they had won seven World Cups.

Time for the best goal, the Puskas. Brighton's Julio Enciso, Botafogo's Guilherme Madruga and Sporting Portugal's Nuno Santos were the nominees and favourites. A bicycle kick from outside the area against Novonizantio won the Botafogo player the award. 

There was also a category for the best fan. The nominees were the fans of Club Atlético Colón de Santa Fe (Argentina) and Miguel Ángel (a Millonarios fan). The winner was Colon de Santa Fe fan Hugo Miguel Íñiguez. He made headlines around the world when he fed his baby from a bottle in the stands of the Brigadier General Estanislao López Stadium.

The highlight of the evening was the Best Player award. In the men's category, Manchester City's Erling Haaland, Inter Miami's Leo Messi and PSG's Kylian Mbappé were among the nominees. Messi, world champion with Argentina in 2022, was the winner. 

This is his third The Best award, surpassing Lewandowski and Cristiano, who had each won two awards each before this Monday. Messi's 52-goal haul last year saw him overtake Mbappé for his eighth The Best award and third in the new format.

A special tribute was paid to Brazil's Marta, the six-time FIFA Women's World Player of the Year, who retired from the national team at the end of the season. 

And then came the final award of the evening, the Women's Player of the Year. The nominees were Tigres' Jenni Hermoso, Real Madrid's Linda Caicedo and Barcelona's Aitana. It was Aitana, Champions League and World Cup winner and World Cup MVP, who triumphed.

The player of the year was emotional: "2023 was an extraordinary year. I will never forget it. It is an honour and it is thanks to Barcelona and the national team for the great work we have done. Thanks to my team-mates. Without you, I would not be receiving this award and I would not be the player that I am today. I am proud to be part of this strong group of players who have influenced the world."