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, Monday February 27 in Paris.
The Paris Saint-Germain star was the big favorite of the evening organized at Salle Pleyel and he logically won the favor of the jury, made up of coaches, national team captains and journalists, a panel supplemented by a public vote on the Internet. . 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 strikers Kylian Mbappé, yet top scorer in the World Cup (8 goals) 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 in such a list alongside Benzema and Kylian who has had a huge year, said the ex-Barcelonian on stage. It is an honor to be rewarded. This year was a year of madness, I was able to fulfill my dream. This is the best thing that happened to me. It’s every gamer’s dream. »
Emiliano Martinez best goalkeeper, doubled for Putellas
The ceremony turned into a triumph for the Argentines since the “for money” 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 by decisive parades during the penalty shootout of the World Cup final against France (3-3 ap, 4-2 tab). On the other hand, there is only one Argentinian in the eleven of the year, Lionel Messi, France having two representatives, Kylian Mbappé and Karim Benzema.
The Moroccan defender of PSG 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 the ladies, 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 holder of the title, beat the pawn to the attacker of Beth Mead, the coach Sarina Wiegman and the goalkeeper Mary Earps saving the British honor.
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The evening was the occasion for a tribute to “King” Pelé, who died on December 29, 2022. FIFA President Gianni Infantino presented a special prize to the widow of the triple world champion alongside the Brazilian Ronaldo.