New Delhi: Lionel Messi was conferred with the best men’s player award 2023 by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) at Salle Pleyel in Paris. Argentina superstar received this honour after he led his team to World Cup glory in 2022 in Qatar.
Messi beats Mbappe, Benzema
Lionel Messi bagged this award after beating his fellow counterpart, Kylian Mbappe and Karim Benzema in the voting. In the FIFA Awards vote, Messi had 52 points, Mbappe 44, and Benzema 34. It is the second time that Messi has won the honour inaugurated by FIFA in 2016.
Messi recorded his first appearance at the FIFA gala back in 2007. The former Barcelona captain had finished second behind Kaka in the FIFA World Player of the Year standings at the time.
🏆 𝗠𝗘𝗦𝗦𝗜 🏆
#TheBest FIFA Men’s Player Award 2022 goes to Lionel Messi! 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/HXEugVH1t9---Advertisement---— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) February 27, 2023
Messi scores twice in the WC final
The 35-year-old striker netted two goals in the World Cup final against France, where Argentina emerged victorious in the penalty shoot-out following a 3-3 draw in Qatar. Meanwhile, Argentina goalkeeper, Emiliano Martinez was named the Best Men’s Goalkeeper.
Earlier, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni was voted best coach of the year award, after guiding his team to the World Cup victory.
“It’s amazing. It was a tremendous year and it is an honour for me to be here tonight and win this award”, said Messi, who sat next to his Paris St. Germain teammate Kylian Mbappe.
“I want to express my thanks to (coach Lionel) Scaloni and my teammates, without them I would not be here,” Messi added.
“I achieved a dream I had been hoping for so long and finally I achieved it. It’s a dream for any player, very few people can achieve that and I was lucky enough to do so,” he concluded.
Another prize for Lionel Messi 🏆#TheBest pic.twitter.com/7kUaRRebBy
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) February 27, 2023
