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Metropolis Desk-
Lionel Messi was named Best FIFA Men’s Player at a ceremony in Paris on Monday, beating Paris Saint-Germain teammate Kylian Mbappe and Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema.
Messi won the 2022 World Cup with Argentina in December, the country’s first in 36 years, ending his wait for the only major honour to have eluded him in his career.
“It’s amazing. It was a tremendous year, and it is an honour for me to be here tonight and win this award,” said Messi, who sat next to Mbappe throughout the ceremony at the Salle Pleyel, reports ESPN.
Monday’s award was Messi’s second FIFA The Best title, his first coming in 2019. He has also won a record seven Ballon d’Or awards.
“I want to express my thanks to [coach Lionel] Scaloni and my teammates; without them I would not be here,” Messi added.
“I achieved a dream I had been hoping for so long, and finally, I achieved it. It’s a dream for any player; very few people can achieve that, and I was lucky enough to do so.”
