Lionel Messi And Kylian Mbappe Confirmed As Finalists For The Best FIFA Men's Player Award

Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe have been named as finalists for The Best FIFA Men's Player Award 2022. Karim Benzema is the other finalist.

Paris Saint-Germain teammates Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe have been named as finalists for The Best FIFA Men's Player Award 2022.

Real Madrid frontman Karim Benzema is the other finalist.

An original shortlist of 14 was reduced to just three on Friday, with two-time winner Robert Lewandowski among the players to miss the cut.

The winner will be officially announced and his trophy presented on February 27 at The Best FIFA Football Awards ceremony.

The 2022 award is based on the players' performances between August 8, 2021 and December 18, 2022, the day the FIFA World Cup final took place.

🚨 We have our finalists for #TheBest FIFA Men's Player Award!

🇫🇷 @Benzema
🇦🇷 Lionel Messi
🇫🇷 @KMbappe

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) February 10, 2023

Both Argentina captain Messi and France star Mbappe shone brightly in that final.

Mbappe netted a hat-trick to clinch the World Cup's Golden Boot, while Messi scored two goals in the final as Argentina prevailed in a penalty shootout after a 3-3 draw.

Messi was then presented with the FIFA World Cup Golden Ball award after the final, having been voted as the best player of the tournament.

Benzema did not feature at Qatar 2022 due to an injury sustained in a France training session.

His nomination is based largely on his spectacular club form in the 2021/22 season.

Benzema scored 44 goals in 46 games for Real Madrid, firing his team to glory in La Liga, the UEFA Champions League and the Supercopa de Espana.

SEE ALSO: 2022 Ballon d'Or Final Rankings: Karim Benzema Finishes 19 Places Above Cristiano Ronaldo

Lionel Messi (left) and Kylian Mbappe pictured during the 2022 FIFA World Cup final :: IMAGO/PA Images/Adam Davy