Lionel Messi had time for a little message for his children after winning The Best FIFA Men’s Player Award for 2022.
🏆 𝗠𝗘𝗦𝗦𝗜 🏆
#TheBest FIFA Men’s Player Award 2022 goes to Lionel Messi! 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/HXEugVH1t9— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) February 27, 2023
Messi won the award for the first time since 2019 on the back of an incredible end to 2022.
Leo Messi wins his 𝟕𝟕𝐭𝐡 individual award 😱 pic.twitter.com/7R27gtWuov
— B/R Football (@brfootball) February 27, 2023
The 35-year-old forward finally achieved his lifelong goal of winning a World Cup after inspiring Argentina to glory in Qatar at the end of 2022.
MESSI TAKES HOME THE BEST FIFA MEN'S PLAYER AWARD 🏆
King of trophies 🐐 pic.twitter.com/IsNYxLB0IZ
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) February 27, 2023
The win confirms Messi as the most successful player in the history of the award, including its previous versions, the FIFA World Player from 1991 to 2009, and FIFA Ballon d’Or from 2010 to 2015, with seven in total.
Lionel Messi is the 🐐 pic.twitter.com/yOjN1IUHLd
— GOAL (@goal) February 27, 2023
His acceptance speech focused on his World Cup glory with Argentina, with praise for La Albliceleste head coach Lionel Scaloni, who picked up the best coach gong.
✅ The Best FIFA Men's Player: Lionel Messi
✅ The Best FIFA Men's Coach: Lionel Scaloni
✅ The Best FIFA Men's Goalkeeper: Emiliano MartínezArgentina swept The Best FIFA Awards 🇦🇷🏆 pic.twitter.com/Y30NIoCFyg
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) February 27, 2023
“It’s a pleasure to be here again, with Benzema (although he is not here) with Kylian, as both of them had a great year”, he said.
Leo Messi & Kylian Mbappé embracing each other after the winner of the FIFA The Best was announced! 🇦🇷🇫🇷🤝pic.twitter.com/QoJxViGNAv
— PSG Report (@PSG_Report) February 27, 2023
“This is an honour for me. I want to thank my colleagues, including my manager Scaloni, and we’re here representing them all (the Argentina team), as we would not be here without them.
Leo Messi wins The Best FIFA Men's Player of the Year! 🏆🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/qvPmqeJDM4
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) February 27, 2023
“It recognises the role they played in what we achieved.
Messi's speechpic.twitter.com/p8zEe9aAxM
— Λ (@TotalLM10i) February 27, 2023
“It’s been a crazy year for me. I have achieved my dream, after so much fighting, and so much determination to win it.
🚨 Lewandowski’s vote for “The Best”:
🥇 Messi
🥈 Mbappe
🥉 ModricLewy 🤝 Leo pic.twitter.com/96Jqn5pETM
— Reshad Rahman (@ReshadRahman_) February 27, 2023
“Winning the World Cup is the most beautiful thing that has happened in my career. It’s a dream for many, but few can win it.
The little boy from Rosario, Argentina 🇦🇷#TheBest | #Messi pic.twitter.com/kNtFjwyp2K
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) February 27, 2023
“I want to thank my family, the people of Argentina, as it will remain in our memories forever.
LEO MESSI WINS THE FIFA MEN'S BEST PLAYER AWARD! 🇦🇷🏆 pic.twitter.com/KwrSR6jBZ3
— 433 (@433) February 27, 2023
“I want to send a kiss to my children, who are watching this, Thiago Mateo and Ciro, I love you…… now go to bed!”
'I might be the best player in the world………..but I'm still your Dad……BEDTIME' 🤣🤣 https://t.co/ivAsMAkKFM
— Football España (@footballespana_) February 27, 2023
Messi is yet to make a decision on his future, for both club and country, with his Paris Saint-Germain contract set to expire in June, and no agreement over an extension.
Images via Getty Images