PARIS: Leo Messi and Alexia Putellas took the major honours of men and women’s top player for 2022 at The Best FIFA Football Awards in Paris.

Paris Saint-Germain’s Messi took home his award for his inspiration role in Argentina’s World Cup victory in December in Qatar while Barcelona Femení’s Spanish midfielder Putellas was honoured for the second year in a row after a successful year which saw her club win a third successive league title.

Messi finished ahead of Real Madrid’s world and European club champions Karim Benzema and France’s World Cup top scorer Kylian Mbappe.

He said: “Trophies like this make me nervous. I want to thank my teammates, [coach] Scaloni, Dibu [Emi Martinez]. We are representing them, without them we would not be here today. It is part of a recognition to the whole group for what we did.

“This year was crazy for me, I was able to achieve my dream after so much fighting, searching, insisting, it finally came and it is the most beautiful thing that happened to me in my career. For any player, there are very few who can achieve it and thank God it happened.

“I obviously want to thank my family, the people of Argentina, for having lived in a special way and it will remain in the memories for life. A big kiss to more children who are watching. Thank you.”

Putellas topped the women’s ranking ahead of United States’ Alex Morgan and England’s European champion top scorer Beth Mead.

England’s Mary Earps was voted The Best goalkeeper after a year in which she lifted the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 with the Lionesses. Argentina shot-stopper Emiliano Martínez collected The Best goalkeeper prize following his outstanding performances throughout the World Cup.

The English national team’s manager Sarina Wiegman won the women’s coach prize after leading the Lionesses to European glory and her second successive Euro title while Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni added the men’s coach award to his trophy cabinet, alongside the FIFA World Cup.

Marcin Oleksy won the Puskás Award for goal of the year while Georgia’s Luka Lochoshvili picked up the fair play award in recognition of his exemplary reaction whilst playing for Wolfsberger AC when he rushed to the aid of an opposing player who had collapsed on the pitch.

In addition, Argentinian fans were recognised for their support of the national team during the World Cup which saw impressive numbers travel to Qatar and millions of fans then welcome their winning heroes home to Buenos Aires and across the country.

The FIFA/FIFPRO team of the year (in 3-3-4) was: Thibaut Courtois – Achraf Hakimi, Virgil Van Dijk, Joao Cancelo – Kevin De Bruyne, Luka Modric, Casemiro – Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, Karim Benzema.

The women’s team was: Claudia Christiane Endler – Lucy Bronze, Mapi Leon, Leah Williamson, Wendie Renard – Alexia Putellas; Keira Walsh, Lena Oberdorf – Alex Morgan, Sam Kerr, Beth Mead.

The winners of The Best player, goalkeeper and coach awards were determined through a voting process in which four groups had an equal say: football fans, selected media representatives and the captains and head coaches of national teams from around the globe.

Full awards list

  • The Best FIFA Women’s Player: Alexia Putellas (Spain/FC Barcelona Femení)
  • The Best FIFA Men’s Player: Lionel Messi (Argentina/Paris Saint-Germain FC)
  • The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper: Mary Earps (England/Manchester United WFC)
  • The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper: Emiliano Martínez (Argentina/Aston Villa FC)
  • The Best FIFA Women’s Coach: Sarina Wiegman (England Women’s National Team)
  • The Best FIFA Men’s Coach: Lionel Scaloni (Argentina Men’s National Team)
  • The FIFA Puskás Award: Marcin Oleksy (Poland/Warta Poznań)
  • The FIFA Fair Play Award: Luka Lochoshvili (Georgia/Wolfsberger AC/U.S. Cremonese)
  • The FIFA Fan Award: Argentinian Fans

A breakdown of the voting results, including each nominee’s points total, is available here.

Links to the full lists of how the captains and coaches of national teams from around the world voted can be found below: