Messi wins FIFA The Best and is elected the best player in the world for the eighth time

top

Argentinian named best men’s player in 2022 after leading Argentina to World Cup glory

Having come first in the election, ahead of finalists Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi received the honor for the eighth time after another season in which he dazzled football fans around the world. Messi’s achievements were recognized at The Best FIFA Football Awards™ ceremony, this Monday (15), which took place in London, England.

The award was voted on by national team coaches and captains, as well as specialized journalists and fans from around the world. Messi had also won the award in 2022. Previously, he had been recognized by FIFA as the best player in men’s football on five previous occasions – 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015 and 2019. In other words: he now has eight cups in total .

Towards the title

Messi is a player who has won practically everything he has played on the pitch, collecting cups for the Argentine national team, for clubs and also for individual honors such as The Best, placing himself firmly in the pantheon of the greatest of all time.

The Argentine was named the best men’s player in 2022 after leading Argentina to FIFA World Cup™ glory in Qatar, and added more titles to his trophy collection in 2023 when PSG once again triumphed in Ligue 1.

The 36-year-old’s two-year stint in Paris came to an end in July, with the all-time top scorer in Europe’s top five leagues crossing the Atlantic to fulfill perhaps the final chapter of his career at Inter Miami, causing huge impact on Major League Soccer.

Messi’s 2023 in the spotlight

In helping PSG win yet another domestic title – the second in a row during his time in France – Messi registered more assists than any other player during the campaign and was subsequently named in the Ligue 1 Team of the Season.

Coming off their historic World Cup win in Qatar, Argentina quickly returned to form in FIFA 26™ World Cup qualifying, with the CONMEBOL campaign beginning in September 2023. Prior to that, Messi scored the 100th goal of his career with the national team in a 7-0 friendly against Curaçao in March, becoming only the third male player to reach the milestone, after Iranian Ali Daei and Portuguese icon Cristiano Ronaldo.

After leaving PSG, Messi instantly raised the standard of his new team, Inter Miami. With the game clock already in the injury time phase, and the score tied at 1-1 in the League Cup clash, against the Mexican team Cruz Azul, the Florida team had a free kick in a central position. There was only one man who would accept the challenge of hitting there. And, apparently, there was only one possible outcome. With his magical left foot, Messi hit an unstoppable shot into the goalkeeper’s right corner. It was worth another glass.

read more

Lula congratulates Messi and criticizes Neymar citing “night out”

Van Gaal says the Qatar World Cup was “premeditated” for Messi to be champion

Neymar’s father sends R$800,000 to help defend Daniel Alves, says website