Best FIFA awards 2023: Messi announced men’s best player, Puskas winner announced and more
The Best FIFA awards, conducted by world football’s governing body, was back on a starry night in Paris for its seventh edition.
Lionel Messi will man the back pages once again following his successful World Cup triumph, as he lifted the Best FIFA Men’s player of 2022 award. Barcelona’s Alexia Putellas, who has already clinched back-to-back Ballon d’Ors, won the female player of the year accolade.
The night predominantly belonged to Argentina’s World Cup heroes – from coach Lionel Scaloni to shot-stopper Emiliano Martinez.
Without further ado, let’s have a rundown of how the ceremony unfolded. https://twitter.com/BarcaWorldwide/status/1630326514007851008
Lionel Messi wins the FIFA Men’s Player of the year
This award is merely a cherry on top of what was a magical 2022 for Lionel Messi. He realized his dream of winning the World Cup after having seen Argentina endure an equal share of crests and troughs in their journey. Messi led the team to glory, ending a 36-year wait for the World Cup after the country’s idol – Diego Maradona – had won it in 1986.
He beat his club teammate Kylian Mbappe and Karim Benzema to the award. As elegant as he is on the pitch, Messi remarked “What a pleasure it is to be here. It’s an honour to be here and win this award. I’d like to express my thanks to my team-mates, Scaloni and without them I wouldn’t be here. They are all a part of this victory. It was an amazing year. I achieved the dream that I’ve been hoping for for so long – and finally I’ve been able to achieve it.”
Alexia Putellas scripts her name in history once again
Despite rupturing her ACL in Spain’s Euro 2022 opener, Putellas scooped the FIFA Women’s Player of the year for the second year running.
While she admitted there was no speech prepared, the 29-year-old thanked her close circle for helping her accomplish this feat.
Lionel Scaloni wins Best Men’s Coach Award
Scaloni is one of the biggest success stories in Argentina football history. It represents the dare to dream, the belief in fairytales, as he topped the Copa America 2021 with a World Cup in 2022, edging France 4-2 on penalties in the final.
Having signed a contract extension until 2026 hours before the big event, Scaloni had his teammates and staff to thank gracefully. “The most beautiful thing is making your people and your country happy. It’s priceless. This victory is for them,” he gushed.
From a caretaker manager whose permanent job offer wasn’t received well by many experts, Scaloni has not just put his critics to bed but is writing his own chapter in La Albiceleste’s glorious lineage.
Emiliano Martinez named world’s best goalkeeper
From getting into the minds of the opposition to firing up the fans, all while dominating his box thoroughly to saving penalties, Aston Villa and Argentina goalkeeper Emi Martinez secured the FIFA Best goalkeeper award for his exploits in the World Cup.
His speech was arguably the most touching, as he hailed his parents as his true idols, stating “When they ask me about my idols, I remember my mother cleaning buildings for 8.9 hours, watching my father work, they are my true idols. Thank you all.”
Handed the award by Eni Aluko and Julio Cesar, Martinez’s infectious smile inspired viewers, reminding us of how crucial he was in Argentina’s World Cup campaign.
Marcin Oleksy receives a well-deserved Puskas award
Hold your breath and watch it on loop. If Scaloni and Emi Martinez’s tales aren’t awe-inspiring enough, here’s Marcin Oleksy’s scorcher for Warta Poznan against Stal Rzeszow.
England Women’s stars capture awards
England women head coach Sarina Wiegman was listed as the best women’s coach for masterminding the Lionesses to a European championship.
The team played with flamboyance, took the attention of the whole nation and grinded results out, none more than beating Germany 2-1 in the final.
Chloe Kelly’s 110th minute strike instantly became one of the most iconic sporting moments women’s football, and sport in England, has ever witnessed.
Her teammate Mary Earps was the recipient for the best women’s goalkeeper.
FIFPRO World XI
Men’s –
Thibaut Courtois; Achraf Hakimi, Virgil van Dijk, Joao Cancelo; Kevin De Bruyne, Luka Modric, Casemiro; Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Karim Benzema, Erling Haaland
Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo missed out in the best XI for the first time since 2007.
Women’s –
Christiane Endler; Lucy Bronze, Mapi Leon, Wendy Renard, Leah Williamson; Alexia Putellas, Keira Walsh, Lena Oberdorf; Sam Kerr, Beth Mead, Alex Morgan
-Akarshak Roy
Twitter: @RoyAkarshak
Photo: The Presidential Press and Information Office. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license.