Manchester City have won several honours at The Best FIFA Football Awards after an outstanding performance during 2023.
2023 became the year that City became the first club ever to hold the UEFA Champions League, Premier league, FA Cup, UEFA Super Cup, and FIFA World Cup title simultaneously.
Pep Guardiola and Ederson were named The Best FIFA Men’s Coach and Goalkeeper while Erling Haaland was in the final three for The Best FIFA Men’s award.
And seven City players were named in the FIFA FIFPRO World 11 teams.
Guardiola, who now has 16 titles since arriving at the Etihad Stadium almost eight years ago, has been nominated for The Best FIFA Mens Coach for the fourth time in five years and last won the accolade in 2011.
Guardiola said: “We’re here because we won a lot and the thousands of people involved in our success.
“I’m really happy for the season we had because it was an incredible journey.
“In the end we did it, but the pleasure of being there was incredible.”
And Ederson won The Best goalkeeper award for the first time in his career having previously come third for the same accolade in 2019.
Ederson said: “To win this award is a great honour and I would like to thank everybody that voted for me.
“I feel very proud to be named as the best goalkeeper in the world and for it to be voted for by other professionals.
“It would not be possible without my teammates, Pep Guardiola and all the coaching staff.
“I also have to say thank you to the goalkeeping coaches and the other goalkeepers for all their huge support and help.
“It was an incredible year, one we will never forget, and now we will keep working hard to try to keep on delivering more success.”
Haaland may not have won the The Best FIFA Men’s Award – that award inevitably went to Lionel Messi – but he did get named in The Best men’s XI dominated by his City team mates including Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias, John Stones, Kevin de Bruyne and Bernardo Silva.
But curiously there was no place for influential midfielder Rodri.
Alex Greenwood’s outstanding performances for club and country earned her a place in the women’s team where she was joined by former City team mates Lucy Bronze and Keira Walsh in a side containing a total of eight players with WSL experience.
Men’s Director of Football Txiki Begiristain said: “To win five trophies in 12 months is incredible and we are delighted to see so many of our players recognised for their incredible contribution.
“The whole squad were outstanding and the Club is very proud to have six players named in the Team of the Year.
“Everyone at the Club worked incredibly hard and they continue to have a determination to bring even more success.
“It’s a very special group of players and this is a deserved tribute to the hard work and desire that runs throughout the club.”
Manchester City Women’s Managing Director Charlotte O’Neill continued: “We’re all delighted to see Alex named in the FIFPRO World 11 after another impressive year for club and country.
“To be included in such an illustrious list is testament to her reputation as one of the best defenders in the world and an example of both her quality on the pitch and professionalism off it.
“We’re all excited to see what the future holds for Alex and for City, and I’d like to congratulate her once again on receiving this award.”