Messi succeeds Lewandowski as world footballer – undisputed record holder

Argentines clear up at FIFA Awards

Argentina’s world champion Lionel Messi was named the new world (Site notre bureau spécialisé)er at a gala event hosted by the World (Site notre blog d’information) Association in Paris on Monday night. The Paris Saint-Germain striker succeeds former Bayern striker Robert Lewandowski (34), who joined FC Barcelona this summer. FIFA honored Messi at The Best FIFA (Site notre blog d’information) Awards 2022.

The jury vote took place until February 3. Messi was a heavy favorite among the men, the 35-year-old leading his country to victory in the World Cup final in Qatar against France and his PSG team-mate Kylian Mbappé in December. Along with the 24-year-old, Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema (35) has also been nominated. Messi is now the undisputed record holder as the seventh-time world (Site notre bureau spécialisé)er.

History of the world (Site notre bureau spécialisé)er: FC Barcelona dominates – Matthäus only German

In 1991, Lothar Matthäus, then under contract with Inter Milan, was the first and so far the only German winner. It took 29 years for a world (Site notre bureau spécialisé)er from a German club until, thanks to Lewandowski, there were even two honors in a row. Since 1991, the trophy has returned 12 times to FC Barcelona players and the world (Site notre bureau spécialisé)er has worn the Real Madrid jersey 9 times. Inter, Juventus and Milan are also represented on several occasions.

Argentinian world champion goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez (30, Aston Villa) won the goalkeeping category, beating rivals Bono (31, Sevilla FC) and Thibaut Courtois (30, Real Madrid).

FIFA World Players 2022 – Here’s how the voting mode works

While only journalists can vote for the Ballon d’Or organized by the French sports newspaper « L’Équipe », the votes of four groups are weighted equally for the FIFA edition: national team captains and their coaches, a journalist from each FIFA member country and the fans decide who is the world (Site notre bureau spécialisé)er.

Boycott of Real Madrid? Scaloni, the Argentinian world champion coach, wins

There was a bit of a fuss ahead of the event: according to Spanish newspapers, all of Real Madrid’s stars, including coach Carlo Ancelotti, wanted to stay away from the FIFA World (Site notre blog d’information)ers’ Gala in Paris this Monday evening. As the « Marca » and « Sport » newspapers reported, the reason for the « boycott » should be great dissatisfaction with the award given by the world association.

Benzema Messi therefore had to give up his place in the most important category of the best (Site notre bureau spécialisé)er of the year 2022. Ancelotti, who led the « Royal » to another Champions League triumph last year, found himself behind Argentina’s world champion coach Lionel Scaloni (extended his contract until 2026 on Monday) during the vote for coach of the year. Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola has also been nominated. Scaloni, 44, became the youngest World Cup champion in 44 years at the tournament in Qatar. Reportedly, Madrid are also unhappy that striker Vinicius Junior doesn’t even appear in the final list of the 26 best players in the world XI.

Cancellations of key protagonists are nothing new. Cristiano Ronaldo, who was not nominated this time, has been absent from galas several times in recent years when it became clear he would not be awarded the main prize.

There was no discussion between the women. FC Barcelona’s Alexia Putellas of Spain has won again despite missing the European Championship this summer due to a cruciate ligament rupture. The German European Championship finalists were absent from the individual awards ceremony on stage, except for Chelsea FC’s Ann-Kathrin Berger, who had to make way for England’s European champion Mary Earps in the best goalkeeper category. After all, Lena Oberdorf has been named in the World XI. An emotional highlight was the posthumous tribute to Pelé, who died in December.

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