Last night, Argentina National Team Captain Lionel Messi was named FIFA Best Male Footballer of the year 2022.
The PSG forward won the award for the second time, having previously won it in 2019. He was widely expected to win it after his golden ball performance at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Messi won the award last night, defeating Qatar World Cup final hat-trick hero, Kylian Mbappe and Karim Benzema.
After receiving the award, Messi thanked his teammates and his Argentine coach for their contributions to his success.
“I could like to thank my teammates and Scaloni (Argentina Coach). Without them I wouldn’t be here,” the 2022 World Cup-winning captain said.
“My coach is part of this victory as well. I could like to pay tribute to all of my teammates. It was an amazing year, and I achieved a dream I have been hoping for so long.”
“Finally I achieved it. it’s a dream for any player. Very few players can achieve that and I have been lucky enough to do it,” added Messi.
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The PSG forward who took home his 77th individual award is also among the favorites to win this year’s Ballon d’Or.
Lionel Messi’s Argentina dominate FIFA ‘The Best’ awards
Meanwhile, Spanish women’s National Team star Alexia Putellas won the best female footballer of the year.
England Women’s National Team goalkeeper Mary Earps and Argentina’s Emiliano Martinez won the best goalkeeper of the year awards.
Dutch coach Sarina Wiegman & Argentina World Cup-winning coach Lionel Scaloni were the best female and male coaches of the year.
Polish amputee footballer, Marcin Oleksy won the Puskás award for his incredible bicycle kick goal.
