Lionel Messi crowned FIFA Best Player of the year
Argentina’s World Cup-winning captain Lionel Messi was crowned the best player in men’s football by the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) at The Best FIFA Football Awards on Tuesday.
Messi, who propelled Argentina to its third FIFA World Cup title in Qatar last year, was nominated for the illustrious prize alongside his Paris Saint Germain (PSG) teammate Kylian Mbappe and Real Madrid captain Karim Benzema.
Messi was named the winner of the Best FIFA Men’s Player award for his outstanding performances in men’s football from the period of 8 August 2021 to 18 December 2022. Equalling Cristiano Ronaldo and Robert Lewandowski’s massive feat at the FIFA awards, the PSG superstar has lifted the famous trophy for the second time at Salle Pleyel in Paris. Ending its five-year partnership with the Ballon d’Or, FIFA first handed the special award in its present appearance in 2016. The 35-year-old previously won the Best FIFA Men’s Player award during his trophy-laden stint at Barcelona back in 2019.
Messi recorded his first appearance at the FIFA gala back in 2007. The former Barcelona captain had finished second behind Kaka in the FIFA World Player of the Year standings at the time. Fifteen years later, Messi was named the FIFA player of the year for the seventh time on Tuesday in Paris. One of the most decorated players in the history of the beautiful game, Messi has now won the FIFA World Player of the Year title in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019 and 2023.
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Adding another individual gong to his incredible collection, Messi emerged as the frontrunner for the prestigious trophy after leading Argentina to World Cup glory in the 2022 edition of the showpiece event. Messi’s Argentina outclassed Mbappe-starrer France in the thrilling FIFA World Cup final last year. Messi’s PSG teammate Mbappe had netted a stunning hat-trick in the final of the Qatar World Cup.
Mbappe became the first player to smash a hat-trick in the FIFA World Cup final since Geoff Hurst, who achieved the same feat in 1966.