Fifa’s The Best awards ceremony took place in Paris on Monday with Lionel Messi walking out with the main prize of men’s player of the year for the second time.
Messi beat his French opponents Kylian Mbappe and Karim Benzema to the award, while Spain’s Alexia Putellas won the best women’s player.
The award is voted for by national team coaches and captains, journalists and even fans.
Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni was named men’s coach of the year, while Sarina Wiegman was named best women’s coach after leading England to European Championship glory last year.
The win for Messi draws him level with Cristiano Ronaldo (2016, 2017) and Robert Lewandowski (2020, 2021) with two wins. Although neither of the two great players were named alongside the Argentine in the team of the season.
Real Madrid and France goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois got the nod between the sticks, with Virgil Van Dijk joined by Achraf Hakimi and Joao Cancelo in a back three.
Kevin de Bruyne, Luka Modric and Casemiro made up the midfield three with Messi and Mbappe on either side of them.
Benzema was joined by Manchester City man Erling Haaland up front to make up the World XI.
Full winners list:
The Best men’s player: Lionel Messi
The Best women’s player: Alexia Putellas
The Best men’s goalkeeper: Emiliano Martinez
The Best women’s goalkeeper: Mary Earps
The Best men’s coach: Lionel Scaloni
The Best women’s coach: Sarina Wiegman
The Best Puskas award: Marcin Oleksy
The Best fan award: Argentina fans
The Best fair play award: Luka Lochoshvili
Fifpro men’s world XI: Thibaut Courtois; Achraf Hakimi, Virgil van Dijk, Joao Cancelo; Kevin De Bruyne, Luka Modric, Casemiro; Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland, Karim Benzema, Kylian Mbappe.
Pictured above: Lionel Messi
Image source: @leomessi
