Who will be world footballer 2022 and successor to ex-Bayern star Robert Lewandowski? Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé and Karim Benzema are nominated. A total of eight trophies will be awarded in Paris.
sport.de accompanies the gala on Monday evening from 9:00 p.m. on the live blog.
+++ Who will win the Puskas Prize? +++
In the short highlight video, FIFA presents the best goals of the past year. Here one dream goal chases the next! In addition to the three finalists, the hits that were eliminated in the pre-selection are shown again.
+++ FIFA world goalkeeper is … +++
… Emi Martinez! The keeper, who is under contract with Aston Villa, became world champion with Argentina in December. It is “a great honor” to win this award, he explains and dedicates the prize to his parents.
+++ Let’s continue with the gentlemen +++
We’re picking up the pace! The gentlemen continue straight away. Here, in a few moments, Julio Cesar and Eniola Aluko will present the winner.
+++ FIFA world goalkeeper is … +++
… almost as expected, the English national goalkeeper Mary Earps from Manchester United, who also won the European women’s championship in her own country with the national team.
+++ Now it’s time for the other awards +++
After this emotional and gripping start to the evening, things really get going. First thing this evening is the FIFA world goalkeeper chosen. The three candidates are presented in a short video. With Ann-Katrin Berger, some Germans are also nominated here. The winner will be presented by former world-class goalkeeper Stephanie Labbé and Chelsea legend Didier Drogba.
+++ The first prize of the evening has been awarded +++
On behalf of the Brazilian soccer icon, his widow Marcia Aoki accepts the “O Rei”, a special FIFA award, which is presented to her by Ronaldo. She then gives a short speech of gratitude to the audience, which is met with a round of applause.
+++ Ronaldo also honors compatriot Pelé +++
“It’s very difficult for me to talk about him,” the former world-class striker begins his emotional speech. He tells some personal anecdotes from the time spent with the football legend. Every meeting with Pelé was “an incredible experience” for him.
+++ Infantino honors Pele +++
The Fifa President also has a few warm words for football icon Pelé. He would be missed and will live on forever in the hearts of all football fans, Infantino stressed. The Italian expresses his condolences to the family of the Brazilian who died in December. World football’s governing body bids farewell to one of the greatest players of all time with a poignant video that captures many key moments in Pelé’s career.
+++ It’s done! +++
Fifa President Gianni Infantino opened the evening with a speech. He greets all the guests present and announces that he will “honor those who make our hearts beat faster.” After a few warm words, also addressed to the fans, Infantino emphasized again that last year was “the best World Cup of all time”.
+++ The top favorite has arrived +++
Lionel Messi has now also arrived at the venue in Paris together with his partner Antonella Roccuzzo. By winning the World Cup title with Argentina, the PSG superstar is considered a big favorite for the award as world footballer.
+++ The stars walk the green carpet +++
The first protagonists have arrived in Paris. The green carpet takes you to the Salle Pleyel not far from the Arc de Triomphe in the French capital.
+++ Boycott fuss about Real Madrid stars +++
Insulted? Or too busy? According to Spanish newspapers, all the stars of Real Madrid, including coach Carlo Ancelotti, will not take part in the FIFA World Players’ Gala in Paris this Monday evening.
As the newspapers “Marca” and “Sport” report, the reason for the “boycott” is said to be great dissatisfaction with the award by the world association.
Star striker Karim Benzema must therefore give way to Lionel Messi in the most important category of the best footballer of the year 2022. Ancelotti, who led the royals to another Champions League triumph last year, is expected to finish behind Argentina’s world champion coach Lionel Scolani.
+++ What is “The Best FIFA Football Awards” about? +++
“The Best FIFA Football Awards” was launched by the world association FIFA in 2016 and has honored the best coaches and footballers in the world every year since then. The award is independent of the prestigious “Ballon d’Or” awarded by the French sports newspaper “France Football”.
By the way: From 1991 to 2009, FIFA chose the best player in the world, “France Football” the best player in Europe. From 2007, however, the Ballon d’Or also went to non-Europeans, which also made it a world footballer’s title. The two elections were therefore merged between 2010 and 2015, and since 2016 there have been two separate awards again.
Unlike the Ballon d’Or, where only journalists vote, the FIFA World Player of the Year is voted for by fans, journalists, national coaches and national team captains.
+++ Will Messi get his seventh trophy? +++
One thing is certain even before the award ceremony: Robert Lewandowski, who won the award in 2020 and 2021, is not among the last three. While it would be the seventh title for Lionel Messi (Paris Saint-Germain), Kylian Mbappé (Paris Saint-Germain) and Karim Benzema (Real Madrid) would be happy about their first win.
A total of eight awards will be given:
- FIFA World Player: Alexia Putellas (Barcelona) Alex Morgan (San Diego Wave) or Beth Mead (Arsenal WFC)
- FIFA World Players: Kylian Mbappé (Paris Saint-Germain), Lionel Messi (Paris Saint-Germain) or Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)
- FIFA World Goalkeeper: Ann Katrin Berger (Chelsea FC Women), Mary Earps (Manchester United WFC) or Christiane Endler (Olympique Lyon)
- FIFA World Goalkeepers: Yassine Bounoi (Seville FC), Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid) or Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa)
- FIFA Women’s World Coach: Sonia Bompastor (Olympique Lyonnais), Pia Sundhage (Brazilian national team) or Sarina Wiegman (English national team)
- FIFA World Coach Men: Carlo Ancelotti (Real Madrid), Pep Guardiola (Manchester City) or Lionel Scaloni (Argentine National Team)
- FIFA Puskas Prize (Best Goal): Marcin Oleksy (Poland), Dimitri Payet (France) or Richarlison (Brazil)
- FIFA Fan Award: Abdullah Al Salmi (Saudi Arabia), Argentine Football Fans or Japanese Football Fans