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Argentinian world champion Lionel Messi won the award for the best player of the year 2022 during the “Fifa Best” trophies ceremony on Monday in Paris. Among the women, it is the Spaniard Alexia Putellas, Ballon d’Or in 2021 and 2022 and already awarded by Fifa last year, who was elected by the jury made up of coaches, captains of the national teams and journalists, a panel supplemented by a public vote on the Internet.
The “Pulga” still and always on top of the world. Haloed by his very recent title of world champion with Argentina, Lionel Messi was crowned best player of the year 2022 during the presentation of the “Fifa Best” trophies on Monday February 27 in Paris.
The PSG star was the big favorite of the evening organized in the Salle Pleyel and logically won the favor of the jury, made up of coaches, captains of the national teams and journalists, a panel supplemented by a public vote on the Internet.
What a night! ????
Congratulations to all the winners at this year’s #TheBest FIFA Football Awards ????
Find out who won in each category at the awards ceremony in Paris:
— FIFA (@FIFAcom) February 27, 2023
By finally lifting the World Cup last December in Qatar, the seven-time Ballon d’Or (35) added a major line to an already exceptional record, joining the legend of icon Diego Maradona.
What to make the difference against the other two named, the two French attackers Kylian Mbappé, yet top scorer of the World Cup (eight achievements) and author of a historic hat-trick in the final, and Karim Benzema, main architect of the 14e Real Madrid Champions League.
Messi thus succeeds the Polish Robert Lewandowski, awarded in 2020 and 2021, and receives this distinction for the third time in his career after 2009 and 2019.
“It’s absolutely wonderful, it’s a pleasure to be on such a list alongside Benzema and Kylian who has had an immense year, said the ex-Barcelonian on stage. It’s an honor to to be rewarded. This year has been a crazy year, I was able to fulfill my dream. This is the best thing that has happened to me. It is the dream of any player.”
Alexia Putellas scored a double
The ceremony turned into a triumph for the Argentines since the “Pulga” was not the only albiceleste to be honored. His coach Lionel Scaloni, who extended his contract on Monday until 2026, beat the Italian Carlo Ancelotti, winner of the C1 with Real Madrid, and the Spaniard Pep Guardiola (Manchester City).
Emiliano Martinez won the award for best goalkeeper. The goalkeeper, who distinguished himself with decisive saves during the penalty shootout of the World Cup final against France (3-3 ap, 4-2 pens), obviously did not suffer of his obscene celebration at the end of the match, when receiving his trophy for best goalkeeper of the tournament, and of his numerous provocations, in particular with regard to Mbappé, during the parties organized in Argentina on the return of the selection.
This raid, however, did not result in the eleven of the year, in which there is only one Argentinian, Lionel Messi, France with two representatives, Kylian Mbappé and Karim Benzema.
The Moroccan defender of Paris SG Achraf Hakimi is in this eleven. He was present Monday evening at the ceremony, a few hours after the announcement of the opening of an investigation against him for rape by the parquet floor of Nanterre (Hauts-de-Seine).
Among women, the English, European champions in 2022, did not succeed in the Grand Slam like the Argentines. The Spaniard Alexia Putellas, double Ballon d’Or and defending champion, defeated Lionesses striker Beth Mead, coach Sarina Wiegman and goalkeeper Mary Earps saving the honor of the English.
The evening was the occasion for a tribute to King Pelé, who died on December 29. Fifa President Gianni Infantino presented a special award to the widow of the three-time world champion, alongside Brazilian Ronaldo.
With AFP