At the FIFA Awards, Cristiano Ronaldo did not vote, and Lionel Messi. His rival won the award for Best Men’s Player.
Lionel Messi stole the show at the FIFA Awards ceremony in Paris. By taking home the award for Best Men’s Player of the Year, completing a historic 2022 season.
He led Argentina to victory over France in the final of the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar last year. Kylian Mbappe saved France and staged a comeback while Argentina was cruising to a 2-0 victory.
The Frenchman leveled the game in 97 seconds with a penalty kick. In the 80th minute and a stunning volley in the 81st made it 2-2.
Argentina took a 3-2 lead in extra time in the 108th minute thanks to a goal from Messi. However, in the 118th minute, Mbappe scored again to make it 3-3.
Emiliano Martinez, who also stopped goals from Kingsley Coman and Aurelien Tchouameni, helped Argentina win the penalty shootout 4-2.
Because he scored seven goals and provided three assists in seven games, Messi was named the World Cup’s best player.
In the meantime, Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi’s rival. Had a disappointing World Cup and saw his Manchester United contract terminated due to a contentious interview.
Ronaldo has since joined Al Nassr, a club in the Saudi Pro League. Although it was anticipated that the former Real Madrid starter would participate in the FIFA Awards voting process. He did not participate in the Best Player poll.
FIFA has confirmed that Pepe assumed those duties. The defender chose Mbappe, a PSG striker from France, over former Real Madrid teammates Karim Benzema and Luka Modric.
Roberto Martinez, who managed Belgium last year, is Portugal’s new manager since their World Cup exit.
Martinez gave Messi his vote, followed by Kevin de Bruyne and Mbappe. Additionally, Ronaldo was not included on the nominees’ list, preventing him from making the final shortlist. In 2016 and 2017, he was named FIFA’s Best Men’s Player of the Year for the first time.