world footballer! Lionel Messi crowned for the seventh time

Who is the best of the best?

That question was answered on Monday evening. Lionel Messi was named world footballer at The Best FIFA Football Awards.

The Argentine relegated Kylian Mbappé and Karim Benzema to their places. But not only the world footballer was decided. Alexia Putellas from FC Barcelona prevailed again in the women’s category. Other prizes also found their winners.

SPORTS1 has the gala with all awards in the ticker to read.

Messi addressed a few words to his companions after his seventh triumph: “I don’t know what to say. It is a great pleasure to be here again. It’s a great honor for me. I would like to thank my teammates, our coach and our fans. This year was amazing. I was able to fulfill the dream I’ve been working toward for so long. The World Cup title is the best thing that has happened to me in my career – it’s the greatest thing a footballer can achieve.” The FIFA gala then ended.

Even before the award ceremony, Lionel Messi’s triumph was more than clear. Now it’s official: Infantino has announced the Argentinian as world footballer of the year.

It is Messi’s seventh award in this category. The world champion was last crowned in 2019. Robert Lewandowski has triumphed in the past two years.

At this year’s awards, Messi received 52 points, ahead of Kylian Mbappé (44 points) and Karim Benzema (34 points).

It’s getting serious: now it’s about the world footballer. FIFA President Infantino will announce the winner himself. The winner is Alexia Putellas (50 points) from FC Barcelona, ​​for the second time in a row. Beth Mead (37 points; Arsenal FC) and Alex Morgan (37 points; Orlando Pride/San Diego Wave) are left empty-handed.

The men’s World 11 follows directly afterwards. Joao Cancelo, who plays on loan at FC Bayern, is also there.

Thibaut Courtois – Achraf Hakimi, Virgil van Dijk, Joao Cancelo – Kevin De Bruyne, Casemiro, Luka Modric – Lionel Messi, Karim Benzema, Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappé

The women’s world eleven is now being set up. With Lena Oberdorf (VfL Wolfsburg) there is also a German player.

The eleven are as follows: Christiane Endler – Lucy Bronze, Maria Leon, Leah Williamson, Wendie Renard – Alexia Putellas, Keira Walsh, Lena Oberdorf – Alex Morgan, Sam Kerr, Beth Mead

Unlike the other awards, the eleven is only chosen by professionals.

The Argentinian fans are awarded the fan prize. Carlos Tula, who has attended every World Cup since 1974 and also accompanied his country to the title in Qatar, will accept the award on his behalf.

After a short break, the fair play award continues. Luka Lochoshvili is the name of the winner in this category. The Georgian had pulled the tongue out of the throat of a professional from Austria Vienna in the Wolfsberger AC jersey and possibly saved his life.

It’s happening in quick succession: Argentina’s world champion coach Lionel Scaloni is world coach. The 44-year-old prevails with 28 points. Pep Guardiola (12 points; Manchester City) and Carlo Ancelotti (17 points; Real Madrid) are left empty-handed. The latter didn’t even come to the award ceremony.

For the third time after 2017 and 2020, Sarina Wiegman is honored as world coach. The English national team coached her to the European title last year.

It continues with the best goal of the year, the FIFA Puskás Award. The winner is Marcin Oleksy, who plays with crutches without a leg and achieved a wonderful lateral pull for Warta Posen.

Next prize: Argentina’s Emiliano Martínez is named World Goalkeeper, beating Bono and Thibaut Courtois. The World Cup winner was already considered the favorite for this award in advance.

Ex-goalkeeper Stephanie Labbé and ex-striker Didier Drogba enter the stage and announce the world goalkeeper: the winner is Mary Earps from England. She made a significant contribution to the British women’s European title.

Earps wins ahead of Germany’s Ann-Katrin Berger and Chilean Christiane Endler, who won the award last year.

Ronaldo, the former world-class striker, is also present and says a few words about Pele. Every meeting with Pelé was “an incredible experience” for him. He then presented Pelé’s widow, Marcia Aoki, with the “O Rei”, a special FIFA award.

The Best FIFA Football Awards begin in Paris. FIFA President Gianni Infantino gives a welcome speech and thanks the football world. He also commemorates the deceased football greats – especially Pelé. A video clip with the most important moments from the Brazilian’s career will be played.

The first stars have arrived in Paris. Lionel Messi has also arrived along with his partner Antonella Roccuzzo.

As the Spanish media unanimously reported a few hours before the award ceremony, all the stars of Real Madrid, including coach Carlo Ancelotti, will not be taking part in the FIFA gala in Paris. Loud Brand and Sport The reason for the boycott is said to be great dissatisfaction with the awarding of the prize by the world association.

Accordingly, it is already clear that Benzema Messi must go first. Ancelotti, who led the royals to another Champions League triumph last year, should only come second behind Argentina’s world champion coach Lionel Scaloni in the vote for coach of the year.

FIFA did not comment on the speculation about the award. In Madrid there is probably also displeasure that young star Vinicius Junior does not even appear in the final list of the best 26 players for the world eleven. A possible waiver of the trip could also have sporting reasons. The Whites play against FC Barcelona in the Spanish Cup on Thursday.

As with the men, the decision for the women takes place without German participation. In addition to English European champion Beth Mead, US star Alex Morgan and Spain’s Alexia Putellas were nominated. The vice European champions Lena Oberdorf and Alexandra Popp from VfL Wolfsburg had been in the preselection, but did not receive the required number of votes.

On the other hand, national player Ann-Katrin Berger from Chelsea, who announced that she had contracted thyroid cancer again after the 2022 European Championship, is one of the three finalists in the world goalkeeper election, as was the case last year.

Today, Monday, FIFA will select the best of the best. In addition to the world footballer and the world footballer, the world goalkeeper and the best coach are also honored. In addition, the Puskas Prize is awarded for the most spectacular goal of the year. The national coaches, the captains of the national teams, journalists and fans may take part in the voting. SPORTS1 accompanies the event in the live ticker.

With Sports Information Service (SID)