Lionel Messi Beats Teammate Kylian Mbappe to Win FIFA Best Player Award

• Lionel Messi has won the 2022 FIFA Best Player award
• The Argentina and PSG star is winning the award for the second time in his career
• Messi led Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar last year

Lionel Messi has been crowned the 2022 FIFA Best Player of the Year at the awards ceremony held in Paris, France, on Monday, February 27, 2023.

The legendary Argentina forward beat Paris Saint Germain teammate Kylian Mbappe and Real Madrid star Karim Benzema to win the top award.

Messi led Argentina to a third World Cup triumph in Qatar after netting in all the knockout games, including a brace in the final against France.

The 35-year-old, who was winning the award for the second time, dedicated the accolade to his teammates for helping him realize his long-time dream.

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"It's amazing. It's been a tremendous year and it's an honour for me to be here and win this award. Without my team-mates I wouldn't be here," he said at the ceremony.

"I achieved the dream I had been hoping for for so long. Very few people can achieve that and I have been lucky to do so."

Last season, Messi scored 27 goals in 49 appearances for club and country.

His compatriots Emi Martinez and Lionel Scolani won the best goalkeeper and coach respectively.

Barcelona women's star Alexis Putellas was named the best female player while England's Sarah Wiegman was named women's coach of the year.

Polish amputee footballer Mercin Oleksy won the Puskas award with his spectacular bicycle kick for Warta Poznan against Stal Rzeszow.

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Argentina national team fans were named the supporters group of the year after their performance in Qatar.

Pele remembered at FIFA awards

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that the Brazilian great, Pele, was remembered by FIFA for his legacy in the sport at FIFA’s The Best Awards in Paris.

Pele’s memory was honoured with a special tribute video at the event before Ronaldo de Lima paid tribute to the great in an emotional speech.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino also paid tribute to the Brazilian great.