FIFA Best Awards: Messi, Martinez and Putellas win big while Benzema goes AWOL

The seventh edition of The Best FIFA Football Awards took place in Paris, where football athletes and coaches from all over the world gathered to celebrate the competitiveness of football while highlighting its brightest talents.

A total of 11 awards were up for grabs in The Best 2022 edition. All rewards were given based on performances between August 8th, 2021, and December 18th, 2022.

The 2022 season for world football has been a busy schedule for all athletes, as the FIFA World Cup took place during the middle of the league season. Many players had their limits challenged, with busy weekly schedules, and back-to-back games.

It was a unique football season due to the fact the FIFA World Cup was hosted during the winter, unlike the usual summer tournament. This was arguably one of the most competitive World Cups due to the players arriving in top form, during the middle of their season.

The first prize of the night was won by Manchester United and England star, Mary Earps. The British goalkeeper has been in incredible form in the league and on the national level and rightfully deserved to be awarded the Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper.

The Aston Villa stopper and World Cup winner Emiliano Martinez was then named the best men’s goalkeeper of 2022. His passionate character alongside his cat-like reflexes deservedly placed him in the number one position.

Sarina Wiegman, England’s national team coach lifted the Best Women’s Coach Award for the third time in her career after leading England to glory at the Euro 2022. The ‘Lionesses’ defeated Germany in a thrilling final (2-1) after having defeated Sweden and Spain in later group stages.

Lionel Scaloni became the first non-European to win the Best Men’s Coach award, after having masterminded Argentina to a famous FIFA World Cup title. The Argentinian coach certainly made a career comeback, and today he was rewarded for his efforts.

The best fans award goes to Argentina’s fans, who were recognized for their crucial role as a fanbase at the Qatar 2022 World Cup. Argentina’s fans are known for their passionate commitment to the national team, and even schools interrupted their classes to stream the matches!

Lionel Messi, arguably one of the greatest players of all time, was awarded the Best FIFA Men’s player award. The Argentinian iconic captain also won the award in 2019 however, this one feels different. Finally winning a World Cup after a long and determined chase, while also playing a crucial role on the team, clearly prove Leo to be the deserved winner.

Barcelona and Spain playmaker Alexia Putellas won The Best FIFA Women’s Player award for the second year in a row. The Catalan football star is a great athlete, who despite injuries and criticisms, always jumps on to pitch determined to win.

Luka Lochoshvili was awarded the FIFA Fair Play Award after helping to save the life of an opponent on the field. The Georgian defender who currently plays for Cremonese saved the life of George Teigl after he fainted on the pitch.

The Real Madrid team alongside nominees Karim Benzema and Thibaut Courtois did not attend the FIFA event and have remained silent. Many agree this is a political statement against FIFA as both ‘Los Blancos’ and the giant football institution have been bumping heads over the past three years.

With recent media scandals surrounding FC Barcelona and La Liga, Real Madrid choose to remain silent and simply sit in the back while observing the situation. A wise and prudent choice done by the club in order to await outcomes. 

FIFA is currently inquiring more about the ongoing investigation revolving around FC Barcelona, which is also a major member of the new Super League.

There seem to be hints of distrust and unsettled feelings between Real Madrid and FIFA. Florentino Perez and Ceferin (FIFA president) have been making passive-aggressive statements back and forth regarding the Super League and FIFA's monopoly over football competitions. The recent court hearings in Spain have given the Super League legal authority to “start” their league, however, FIFA is throwing everything it can to collapse this new project.