IFFHS: Lionel Messi Beats Mbappe to 2022 ‘World’s Best Player’ Award

• Lionel Messi has earned for himself another accolade on the back of a fruitful World Cup campaign in 2022
• In 51 official games for club and country, Messi scored an impressive 35 goals and laid on 30 assists
• Messi totally dominated the points in the race for the accolade, surpassing his closest competitor by a landslide margin

Lionel Messi has been named the 'World's Best Player' for 2022 by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS).

Messi crowned an exceptional 2022 in the best possible fashion, winning the FIFA World Cup with Argentina while also emerging as the tournament's best player.

He beat competition from PSG teammate Kylian Mbappe, whom Messi beat to the World Cup trophy, and current Ballon d'Or holder Karim Benzema to win the accolade.

Aside from edging the aforementioned names for the accolade, Messi was also named the winner of the IFFHS World's Best International Goal Scorer 2022 Award.

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What did Messi achieve in 2022?

According to Sportskeeda, the former Barcelona talisman first managed to win the Ligue 1 title with PSG in April.

He continued by leading Argentina to claim the Finalissma against Italy in June.

Messi followed up his Finalissima success with the French Super Cup with PSG after scoring once in a 4-0 victory over Nantes in July.

The 35-year-old then cemented his status as the greatest player in history, leading Argentina to claim the World Cup in Qatar.

Below is the final ranking for the 2022 Award:

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What's next for Messi?

The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner received a special treat from PSG staff and teammates and could be in line to return to club action on January 11, per MARCA.

Messi receives guard of honour

Lionel Messi was given a well-deserved guard of honour by his Paris Saint-Germain teammates and staff.

The 35-year-old reported back to Paris having concluded his celebrations, after winning the 2022 FIFA World Cup with Argentina.

Messi's return to training prompted a hero's welcome from his teammates and support staff after he captained Argentina to World Cup glory.

PSG boss dispels Messi-Mbappe friction

Sports Brief earlier reported that Christophe Galtier, the gaffer of Paris Saint-Germain, explained that France international Kylian Mbappe has congratulated Lionel Messi for winning the World Cup.

It was a tough day for Mbappe and his teammates in the French national team as they were beaten by Argentina on penalties in the final of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

According to the report on GOAL and Marca, Galtier explained that there is no trouble between Messi and Mbappe during and after the World Cup.