Two months after winning the World Cup with Argentina, Lionel Messi was named FIFA’s best footballer of 2022. The 35-year-old superstar from Paris Saint-Germain prevailed in the final of the world association’s The Best Gala against his French club colleague Kylian Mbappé and his compatriot Karim Benzema. It was Messi’s seventh FIFA World Player award since 2009.
The world champions from Argentina were also ahead in all other categories. Lionel Scaloni was honored as world coach, Emiliano Martinez, as at the World Cup, as best goalkeeper. And the Best Fan Award also went to Argentina and the thousands of fans who created a breathtaking atmosphere at the Argentinian games during the World Cup in Qatar.
There was no discussion among women about the best footballer in the world in 2022: Spain’s Alexia Putellas from FC Barcelona won again, although she missed the European Championship in the summer due to a cruciate ligament rupture. The remaining prizes went to the European champions from England: Sarina Wiegman was named world coach, Mary Earps best goalkeeper.