Lionel Messi was crowned The Best FIFA Men’s Player 2022 at a gala event in Paris on Monday night.
The Argentina and Paris St Germain superstar was presented with the honor following a landmark year in which he inspired his nation to FIFA World Cup glory.
Messi was presented with the prize having come out on top in the voting ahead of finalists Kylian Mbappe and Karim Benzema.
The award was voted for by national team coaches and captains as well as expert journalists and supporters across the world. Messi also won 2019 Best FIFA Men’s Player award and becomes the third player to receive the accolade twice, after Cristiano Ronaldo and Robert Lewandowski.
Messi produced a series of brilliant performances during Argentina’s triumphant World Cup campaign in Qatar last year. The number 10 was Argentina’s lucky charm, scoring seven goals – including a brace in that unforgettable final win over France – and providing three assists during the tournament. His strong leadership was also frequently cited by team-mates as an integral factor in their success.
Messi’s inspirational influence was underlined when he was awarded the Golden Ball prize for the competition’s best player. Messi, who also won the accolade at Brazil 2014 became the first player to receive the honor twice. He also overtook German legend Lothar Matthaus as the World Cup’s record appearance holder.
At club level, Messi plays for Paris St Germain after leaving Barcelona in summer 2021. He was a key figure as PSG won the Ligue 1 title in his debut season and has continued to provide regular game-changing contributions for the French side in 2022/23. Messi’s World Cup triumph defined his year, however, as he lit up the game’s grandest stage and lifted the trophy he coveted above all others.
