Following Argentina’s World Cup victory, Lionel Messi was named The Best FIFA Men’s Player for 2022 on Monday. Alexia Putellas of Spain was named The Best FIFA Women’s Player for 2022 at a ceremony in Paris.
Kylian Mbappe, a teammate of Messi’s at Paris Saint-Germain and a rival of his in the World Cup final, finished second to Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema in the race for the men’s award.
It marks Messi’s second time winning the award, which FIFA instituted in 2016 following their separation with Ballon d’Or organizers France Football.
The award honors the year in which the former Barcelona player capped off his illustrious career by guiding Argentina to victory in the World Cup. It is chosen by national team coaches and captains, media, and fans.
Despite Mbappe scoring a hat-trick for Les Bleus in a surprising 3-3 draw, Argentina defeated France on penalties in a thrilling final in Doha thanks to two goals from Messi.
Despite the fact that Mbappe has eight goals, one more than Messi, he also won the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player.
“This year was just mad for me, to be able to achieve my dream that I had fought so hard for. In the end I got it and it was the most beautiful thing that has happened in my career,” Messi said of his World Cup win as he collected his award.
“It is a dream for every footballer but something that very few can make come true,” added Messi, who was sat in the Paris theatre in between Mbappe and his wife Antonella Roccuzzo.
He won the award barely a day after teaming up with Mbappe to help PSG defeat Marseille 3-0 in Ligue 1.
