Argentine star Lionel Messi has been named the 2022 FIFA World Player of the Year by defeating his Paris Saint-Germain teammate Kylian Mbappe and his compatriot Karim Benzema. Monday in Paris, France.
Messi crowned his efforts and contributions to the crowning of the Argentina national team at the 2022 Qatar World Cup by winning the Best of the Year award after he previously won it in 2019. Note that FIFA returned to award it in 2016 after withdrawing from the Ballon d’Or awarded by France Football magazine.
And the crowning of the 35-year-old Messi with the world title, the first for Argentina since 1986, strengthened his chances of becoming the best for 2022 in this race, the champion of which was determined by the votes of the coaches and leaders of all national teams and journalists from every country, in addition to the fans.
World Cup Golden Boot winner Mbappé and 2022 Ballon d’Or winner Benzema made their debuts in the final shortlist.
Messi scored 7 goals during the World Cup in Qatar and won his second Golden Ball of the tournament after leading Argentina to a 4-2 win in the final over France on penalties after extra time ended in a 3-3 draw as newspapers write. described this match as one of the best final matches in World Cup history.
Messi said at the ceremony after receiving the award: “I may seem a little nervous, but first of all, I must say that it is an honor for me to be back here and be with Benzema and Mbappe, as they both had a wonderful year.”
He added: “I am honored to receive this award again. I would also like to thank all my colleagues in Argentina, Martinez and Scaloni (his coach).”
He continued, “We came here to represent the rest of the players, without them we wouldn’t be here. This year has been a wonderful year for me to be able to fulfill my dream of winning the world championship after a lot of effort and struggle, and in the end, the dream came true, and this is the most beautiful thing that happened to me in my career.”
Messi’s coronation as the best in the world came one day after he scored his 700th goal at club level (Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain).
