LIONEL Messi was named the winner of The Best FIFA Football Awards Men’s Player of the Year for 2022 tonight in Paris, France ahead of Kylian Mbappe, with other Argentinians also claiming top honours.
The Argentina captain was rewarded for leading his country to the Qatar 2022 World Cup title, the third in the country’s history and the first since 1986.
This is the seventh time Messi has been voted the best player in the world at the FIFA Awards, which is a record.
Messi inspired Argentina to beat France in the final in December, scoring twice in the epic showdown which was won on penalties after full-time and extra-time ended 3-3.
Mbappe, Messi’s teammate at Paris Saint-Germain, also starred in the final, scoring a hat-trick for France and emerging as the tournament’s top scorer.
France and Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, who won the UEFA Champions League with the Spanish giants, was the third nominee.
Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni won the Coach of the Year award ahead of Real Madrid’s Carlo Ancelotti and Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola.
Emiliano Martinez, the showboating Argentina shot-stopper who was magnificent at the World Cup, won the Goalkeeper of the Year prize.
Barcelona and Spain forward Alexia Putellas claimed the Women’s Player of the Year award, with England and Manchester United’s Mary Earps bagging the Women’s Goalkeeper prize.
In other awards, England manager Sarina Weigman was named Women’s Coach of the Year, while amputee footballer Marcin Olesky won the Puskas prize for the best goal.
THE BEST FIFA FOOTBALL AWARDS WINNERS
Best Women’s Player
Alexia Putellas (consecutive)
Best Men’s Player
Lionel Messi
Best Women’s Goalkeeper
Mary Earps
Best Men’s Goalkeeper
Emiliano Martinez
Puskas Award
Marcin Olesky
Best Women’s Coach
Sarina Wiegman
Men’s Coach
Lionel Scaloni
Fairplay
Luka Lochosvili
Best Fans
Argentinian fans
