Paris: Following Argentina’s World Cup triumph, Lionel Messi was named The Best FIFA Men’s Player for 2022. 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 from Ballon d’Or organisers France Football.

The award honours 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. While it’s true that Mbappe has eight goals, one more than Messi, he also won the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player.

?? Picture time, @alexiaputellas!#TheBest pic.twitter.com/hP71vprLjQ

— FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) February 27, 2023

“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 stated of his World Cup win as he collected his award.

Every football player has this goal, but only a select handful are able to make it come true, said Messi, who was seated at the Paris theatre between Mbappe and his wife Antonella Roccuzzo. Messi won the award barely a day after teaming up with Mbappe to help PSG defeat Marseille 3-0 in Ligue 1.

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