Lionel Messi Named The Best FIFA Men's Player For Second Time

Lionel Messi has been named The Best FIFA Men's Player for the second time. Messi won the 2022 award ahead of Kylian Mbappe and Karim Benzema in February 2023.

Lionel Messi has been named The Best FIFA Men's Player for the second time in his career.

The 35-year-old pipped Kylian Mbappe and Karim Benzema to win the prize, which was presented at The Best FIFA Football Awards 2022 in Paris on Monday.

Players were judged for this award based on their performances between August 8, 2021 and December 18, 2022.

During that period, Messi helped Paris Saint-Germain win the Ligue 1 title in France.

But it was his performances at the 2022 FIFA World Cup that saw Messi emerge as the standout choice.

Argentina captain Lionel Messi pictured during the 2022 FIFA World Cup final :: IMAGO/Xinhua/Cao Can

Messi attended The Best FIFA Football Awards ceremony with his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo :: IMAGO/Sports Press Photo/Daniela Porcelli

Messi captained Argentina to global glory at Qatar 2022, scoring seven goals and providing three assists in seven games during the tournament.

The former Barcelona star is the third player to win the award for The Best FIFA Men's Player more than once, having previously received the prize in 2019.

Cristiano Ronaldo was the first ever winner in 2016. Ronaldo then won again in 2017.

Robert Lewandowski won the award in 2020 and 2021.

The only other previous winner is Luka Modric (2018).

Earlier on Monday night, Barcelona and Spain midfielder Alexia Putellas won The Best FIFA Women's Player award for the second year running.

SEE MORE: Full List Of Winners From The Best FIFA Football Awards 2022