Lionel Messi has been named The Best FIFA Men’s Player of 2022 after beating Karim Benzema and Kylian Mbappe to the award.
Messi wins the award for the best male footballer, which known as the FIFA World Player of the Year between 1991 and 2009, then merged with the Ballon d’Or to be handed out as Fifa Ballon d’Or between 2010 and 2015 – and since The Best FIFA Men’s Player for a record-breaking seventh time.
Messi produced a series of mesmeric performances to lead Argentina to FIFA World Cup 2022 glory. He was Argentina’s talisman in Qatar, scoring seven goals – including a brace in that unforgettable final win over France – and providing three assists during the tournament.
Messi’s inspirational influence was underlined when he was awarded the Golden Ball for the Player of the Tournament. Messi, who also won the accolade at Brazil 2014™, became the first player to receive the honour twice.
The superstar also overtook German legend Lothar Matthaus as the World Cup’s record appearance holder.
At club level, Messi swiftly settled into life with Paris St Germain after leaving Barcelona in summer 2021. He was a key figure as PSG won the Ligue 1 title in his debut season and has continued to provide regular game-changing contributions for the French side in 2022/23.
Messi’s World Cup triumph defined his year, however, as he lit up the game’s grandest stage and lifted the trophy he coveted above all others.
