At a ceremony in Paris on Monday, Lionel Messi, the captain of Argentina, was presented with the 2022 FIFA Men’s Player of the Year award. Messi earned the award for the second time since it was introduced by FIFA in 2016. The 35-year-old Messi won the prize ahead of Karim Benzema and Kylian Mbappe, two of his Paris Saint-Germain teammates and rivals for the World Cup final. The votes cast by a select group of national team captains and coaches determine the award winner.
One unexpected event was Pepe’s casting of the vote as Portugal’s delegate in place of Cristiano Ronaldo. The Al-Nassr star was benched in several of the 2022 FIFA World Cup games, so senior player Pepe was given the chance to vote, thus Portugal’s captain chose not to participate.
Luka Modric, Karim Benzema, and Pepe’s top three picks were Kylian Mbappe, Luka Modric, and Karim Benzema.
The award honors the year in which the former Barcelona player capped off his illustrious career by leading Argentina to the World Cup victory. It is chosen by national team coaches and captains, journalists, and fans.
Despite Mbappe scoring a hat-trick for Les Bleus in a surprising 3-3 draw, Argentina defeated France on penalties in a thrilling final in Doha thanks to two goals from Messi.
“To be able to realize my ambition, for which I had worked so hard, this year was just crazy for me. In the end, I succeeded, and it was the most lovely thing that has ever occurred in my professional life.
“It is a dream for every footballer but something that very few can make come true,” added Messi, who was sat in the Paris theatre in between Mbappe and his wife Antonella Roccuzzo.
Listen to the latest songs, only on JioSaavn.com
He took the prize just 24 hours after combining with Mbappe to lead PSG to a 3-0 win against Marseille in Ligue 1.
