.png)
Lionel Messi embraced Kylian Mbappe more than he did his wife after being announced as the winner of the Best FIFA Men’s Player award.
Messi won the gong for the second time and claimed a 77th individual honour after a stunning 2022 during which he captained Argentina to their first World Cup in 36 years.
The 35-year-old was the overwhelming favourite to claim the prize and lead in votes from players, coaches and fans to accrue 52 points overall.
His teammate Mbappe came second on 44, with 2022 Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema coming in third place with 35 points.
Messi was presented the award by FIFA president Gianni Infantino but when his name was read out, he shared a warm embrace with Mbappe in Paris.
The France star was set to his right, with his wife Antonella Roccuzzo on his left. But poor Antonella didn’t get the same love as Mbappe, with Messi instead giving him a little tap on the knee as he got out of his seat to head to the stage.
It garnered a whole lot of reaction on social media, with one fan joking: “Priorities. Playmate before Soulmate.”
A second said: “He forgot he was supposed to lean in the other side.”
A third laughed: “Bro forgot to kiss his wife and was about to kiss Mbappe.”
Another tweeted: “Leo is embracing and TRIED to give him a peck and just a knee tap for her.”
A fifth stated: “Real recognise real.”
Messi, who was also named in the FIFPro World 11, gave a wonderful speech upon collecting his gong and finished by telling his three children to go to sleep.
He said: “It’s been a crazy year for me. I have achieved my dream, after so much fighting, and so much determination to win it.
“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.
“I want to thank my family, the people of Argentina, as it will remain in our memories forever.
“I want to send a kiss to my children, who are watching this, Thiago Mateo and Ciro, I love you…… now go to bed!”
According to FIFA’s official website, for his voting, Messi selected PSG colleagues Neymar and Mbappe as his first two picks, as well as opting for Benzema in the third spot.
Messi has 17 goals and 18 assists for PSG this season and will look to add to his tally against Nantes in Ligue One on Saturday.
Kylian Mbappe performs U-turn on Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi debate
Kylian Mbappe has appeared to perform a U-turn on the Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi debate.
Over the last two decades, Ronaldo and Messi have been battling at the top of football in order to become the greatest of all time.
After Messi led Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar last year, many believe that the Paris Saint Germain star is now the undisputed GOAT.
It has been widely known that Mbappe is a huge fan of Ronaldo, the 24-year-old’s father previously said in 2016: “He [Mbappe] is a Real Madrid fan and his idol is Cristiano Ronaldo. He used to spend hours watching videos [of Ronaldo] on the internet.”
That statement by Mbappe’s father was backed up by the Frenchman’s former teammate Abdou Diallo, who said: “Cristiano Ronaldo is literally everything to Kylian Mbappe. If you mention Lionel Messi against Cristiano, Mbappe will debate with you for at least an hour. For him, Cristiano is untouchable.”
However, it seems that Mbappe has now changed his mind after Monday night’s Best FIFA Awards.
After Messi was named the best male player of the year, Mabppe took to social media to congratulate his PSG teammate and called him ‘The Best’.
He wrote on Instagram: “Another trophy at home. Big congratulations to @leomessi you are #TheBest.”
Messi has had a stunning 22/23 season so far, aside from the success at the World Cup, he has been influential for PSG too.
So far, he has scored 17 goals and assisted 16 in 28 appearances across all competitions.
During his acceptance speech, he said: “I’d like to express thanks to my team-mates, to Scaloni [Argentina coach] and without them I wouldn’t be here. My coach, he is part of this victory as well. I’d like to pay tribute to all of my team-mates. It was an amazing year and I achieved a dream I’ve been hoping for so long.
“Finally I achieved it. It’s a dream for any player. Very few players can achieve that and I’ve been lucky enough to do it.”
