IFFHS World's Best Player Awards: Celebrating Football Excellence
The International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) is dedicated to documenting the rich history of association football. Among its most prestigious accolades are the World's Best Player awards, which recognize the top-performing male and female athletes on the global stage based on rigorous statistical analysis and performance metrics.
Key Facts
- First Men's Award: Established in 1988, with Marco van Basten as the inaugural winner.
- First Women's Award: Established in 2020, with Pernille Harder as the first winner.
- Men's Record Holders: Marco van Basten and Robert Lewandowski share the record for most wins (2 each).
- Women's Record Holder: Aitana Bonmatí holds the record with three consecutive wins (2023–2025).
- All-Time Greats: Lionel Messi is ranked as the all-time Men's World Best Player, while Marta holds the top spot for women.
The Men's World Best Player Award
The men's award has evolved over several decades, tracking the dominance of legendary figures across different eras. From the early success of Marco van Basten at AC Milan to the modern era of Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain stars, the award highlights the pinnacle of individual achievement in the sport.
Recent Winners and Trends
In recent years, the award has seen a shift toward versatile midfielders and prolific strikers. Robert Lewandowski dominated the 2020 and 2021 periods, while Lionel Messi secured the top spot in 2022. More recently, Erling Haaland (2023), Rodri (2024), and Ousmane Dembélé (2025) have been recognized as the world's best.
Historical Rankings and Legends
Beyond the annual awards, the IFFHS maintains historical rankings to determine the greatest players of all time. This includes specialized lists for different centuries and eras, ensuring that pioneers of the game are not forgotten.
The Women's World Best Player Award
Launched in 2020, the women's award recognizes the rapid growth and increasing professionalism of women's football. The award has been heavily influenced by the dominance of FC Barcelona, which has produced several of the top-ranked players in the world.
Dominance and Diversity
Aitana Bonmatí has set a remarkable benchmark by winning the award three times consecutively from 2023 to 2025. Other influential figures include Alexia Putellas, who won back-to-back awards in 2021 and 2022, and Pernille Harder, the first recipient in 2020.
Comparative Summary of Awards
The following table provides a snapshot of the most successful players and clubs across both categories.
| Category | Most Wins (Player) | Most Wins (Club) | All-Time Best Player |
|---|---|---|---|
| Men | M. van Basten / R. Lewandowski (2) | Man City / PSG / Milan (2) | Lionel Messi |
| Women | Aitana Bonmatí (3) | Barcelona (5) | Marta |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the all-time best male football player according to IFFHS?
Lionel Messi is ranked as the all-time Men's World Best Player.
Who is the all-time best female football player according to IFFHS?
Marta from Brazil is ranked as the all-time Women's World Best Player.
Which club has won the most Women's World Best Player awards?
FC Barcelona is the most successful club, with five awards won by its players.
Who was the first person to win the Men's World Best Player award?
Marco van Basten was the first winner of the award in 1988.
How many times has Aitana Bonmatí won the Women's World Best Player award?
Aitana Bonmatí has won the award a record three times in a row (2023, 2024, and 2025).