In a remarkable feat of football excellence, Lionel Messi has been crowned The Best FIFA Men’s Player for 2022, surpassing his rivals Kylian Mbappe and Karim Benzema to claim the coveted prize.
Messi delivered a string of performances that defined his illustrious career during the World Cup in Qatar last year, masterfully leading his Argentine team to victory, a feat they had not achieved since 1986.
The 35-year-old icon’s exceptional displays earned him a second World Cup Golden Ball, a distinguished award that only the greatest players have had the honor of receiving.
🏆 𝗠𝗘𝗦𝗦𝗜 🏆
#TheBest FIFA Men’s Player Award 2022 goes to Lionel Messi! 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/HXEugVH1t9— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) February 27, 2023
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Messi’s World Cup triumph in Qatar was a defining moment in his career, as he became the first player to score in every stage of the tournament and achieved the remarkable feat of playing in 26 games, the most in the history of the competition.
Beyond his accomplishments with the national team, Messi has continued to dazzle the football world with his impressive form at Paris Saint-Germain. After a challenging departure from Barcelona, the Argentinian superstar has found his footing and helped lead PSG to win Ligue 1 in the 2021/22 season.
The team is well-positioned to repeat this feat this year, although they must first overcome Bayern Munich in the Champions League, having lost the first leg 1-0.
This latest accolade adds to Messi’s impressive collection of individual awards, having previously won The Best FIFA Men’s Player award in 2019, and claiming seven Ballon d’Or trophies, a remarkable achievement that solidifies his status as one of the greatest footballers of all time.
Messi joins Cristiano Ronaldo and Robert Lewandowski as two-time winners, having also finished as a runner-up three times.