World Cup-winning captain Lionel Messi bagged the Best Men’s Player 2022 award for the Best International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) held in Paris on Monday, February 27 following Argentina’s historic World Cup 2022 triumph in December last year.

The 35-year-old beat France’s Kylian Mbappe and Karim Benzema to clinch the laurel and scored seven goals in the side’s World Cup triumph, missing out on the golden boot by just one goal.

Messi got this award for his spectacular performance in Qatar against France when he scored two goals in the final and Argentina emerged winner on penalties following a 3-3 draw.

Lionel Scaloni who is the Argentina coach clinched the Best Men’s Coach award, and Emiliano Martinez (Argentina) was named the Best Men’s Goalkeeper.

🏆 𝗠𝗘𝗦𝗦𝗜 🏆
#TheBest FIFA Men’s Player Award 2022 goes to Lionel Messi! 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/HXEugVH1t9

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) February 27, 2023

The talismanic striker said, “It was a tremendous year and it is an honour for me to be here tonight and win this award.” Messi further added, “it’s amazing. I want to express my thanks to my teammates and (coach Lionel) Scaloni, as without them I would not be here,” as quoted by ESPN.

“It’s a dream for any player, very few people can achieve that and I was lucky enough to do so. I achieved a dream I had been hoping for so long and finally I achieved it,” said Messi, who sat next to his Paris St. Germain teammate Kylian Mbappe (France) throughout the ceremony at Paris’s Salle Pleyel.

Mbappe in the World Cup final netted a hat-trick but his effort was overshadowed by Messi. Mbappe too was nominated alongside Messi for the top honour.

#TheBest of #TheBest 🏆 pic.twitter.com/U2ZxPq2aux

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) February 27, 2023

Meanwhile, Barcelona’s Alexia Putellas (Spain) was named the Best Women’s Player who also won the Ballon d’Or last year, and England’s Sarina Wiegman (England) took home the Best Women’s Coach award along with Mary Earps who clinched the Best Women’s Goalkeeper trophy.

On top of the world. 💫
@alexiaputellas has been crowned #TheBest FIFA Women’s Player 2022! pic.twitter.com/Wtcgg8SUmO
— FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) February 27, 2023

“I’d like to spare a thought for all those people who have worked tirelessly to help and support me. They have helped me become who I am today,” says Alexia Putellas adding that anyone who dreams big deserves to be able to pursue their dreams. If you have a dream, fight for it, and you can achieve it.”

📽️ This is the 2022 FIFA FIFPRO Men's #World11.
⭐️ Where legends are made.@FIFAWorldCup | #TheBest pic.twitter.com/EHfkMIfE8R
— FIFPRO (@FIFPRO) February 27, 2023

KNOW WHO VOTED FOR MESSI?

Here are some of the big names who voted for Messi: National captains Manuel Neuer (Germany), Harry Kane (England), Virgil van Dijk (Netherlands), Leonardo Bonucci (Italy), Robert Lewandowski (Poland) and former Barcelona teammate Sergio Busquets (Spain).

Also, among the national team coaches, Roberto Mancini (Italy), Gareth Southgate (England), Roberto Martinez (Portugal) and Hansi Flick (Germany) all voted for Messi, while France coach Didier Deschamps opted for Mbappe in a somewhat predictable fashion.

LIST OF ALL THE WINNERS OF THE BEST FIFA FOOTBALL AWARDS
FIFA Men’s Player	Lionel Messi
FIFA Women’s Player	Alexia Putellas
FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper	Emiliano Martinez
FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper	Mary Earps
FIFA Men’s Coach	Lionel Scaloni
FIFA Women’s Coach	Sarina Wiegman
Puskas Award	Marcin Oleksy
FIFA Fair Play Award	Luka Lochoshvili
FIFA Fan Award	Argentinian fans

📽️ This is the 2022 FIFA FIFPRO Women's #World11.
⭐️ Where legends are made.@FIFAWWC | #TheBest pic.twitter.com/M26X6sgabn
— FIFPRO (@FIFPRO) February 27, 2023