- Lionel Messi has won the men’s player of the year at the 2022 Best FIFA Awards
- Meanwhile, the best women’s player of the year was FC Barcelona star Alexia Putellas
Paris Saint-Germain and Argentina forward Lionel Messi has won the men’s player of the year at the 2022 Best FIFA Awards.
Messi, who was presented the award by FIFA president Gianni Infantino, beat his PSG teammate Kylian Mbappe and Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema to the award. Benzema was the winner of the 2022 Ballon d’Or award.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino presenting Lionel Messi with the men’s player of the year award. Photo/ beIN SPORTS.
Lionel Messi captained Argentina to World Cup triumph in Qatar in December, beating France in the final. The 35-year-old playmaker recorded 27 goals in 49 games for PSG and Argentina during the 2021-22 season.
Speaking after receiving his award at the 2022 Best FIFA Awards, Lionel Messi said it was an honour for him to win the award.
“It’s amazing. It’s been a tremendous year and it’s an honour for me to be here and win this award. Without my team-mates I wouldn’t be here. I achieved the dream I had been hoping for for so long. Very few people can achieve that and I have been lucky to do so.” Lionel Messi said, as per BBC Sports.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni was named men’s coach of the year at the 2022 best FIFA awards. The 44-year-old led Argentina to win their third World Cup trophy in Qatar at the end of last year.
Lionel Scolani. Photo/ Eurosport.
Lionel Scaloni beat Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola to the honour. Ancelotti led Real Madrid to win last season’s UEFA Champions League whereas Guardiola led Manchester City to win their six Premier League title.
Meanwhile, the best women’s player of the year was FC Barcelona star Alexia Putellas. The Spain international, who scored 34 goals last season, won the ward for the second year running. She beat United States forward Alex Morgan and England forward Beth Mead to the honour.
England manager Sarina Wiegman deserved to be named women’s coach of the year, and she won it. Wiegman led England to European Championship title in 2022. It was the Lioness first major title. Sarina has now won the award three times, having previously earned it in 2017 and 2020.
The award for the best men’s goalkeeper went to Argentina and Aston Villa number one goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez. The 30-year-old played a significant role as Argentina won the 2022 FIFA World Cup in December last year.
Meanwhile, England and Manchester United goalkeeper Mary Earps was the best women’s goalkeeper. She won the award mainly because of her contribution as England won the Euro 2022.
The Fifpro men’s world XI had Thibaut Courtois as the goalkeeper, Achraf Hakimi, Virgil van Dijk and Joao Cancelo as the defenders. The midfield position was occupied by Casemiro, Kevin De Bruyne and Luka Modric. The attackers are Erling Haaland, Karim Benzema, Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi.
The best goal of the year at 2022 Best FIFA Awards went to amputee footballer Marcin Oleklsy. The Polish attacker won the award for his beautiful overhead volley as his team, Warta Poznan, played against Stal Rzeszow.
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