Messi as the world’s best football player: The Salle Pleyel concert hall in Paris hosted the FIFA The Best awards ceremony on Monday, which included a touching tribute to Pelé. Lionel Messi and Alexia Putellas were the major winners of the night, with Messi winning his seventh award for the best male football player in the world, while Putellas was declared the best female player in the world.
Messi’s participation in the World Cup held in Qatar played a significant role in his win. The Argentine player, who now plays for Paris Saint-Germain, won the award despite tough competition from French striker Kylian Mbappé and Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema. Messi expressed his gratitude to his teammates, especially those who helped Argentina win the World Cup, and to Mbappé and Benzema for their performances in the competition.
Putellas, the Barcelona and Spain midfielder, won the award for the second consecutive year, beating out competition from Arsenal’s Beth Mead and San Diego Wave’s Alex Morgan. Putellas helped Barcelona win the Spanish Championship and the Copa del Rey, and thanked everyone who voted for her while congratulating her fellow nominees.
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Messi as the world’s best football player
The FIFA The Best awards ceremony is an annual event that recognizes the best players and coaches in men’s and women’s football, as well as the best goals scored in the previous season.
Homage to Pele
The party commenced by paying homage to Pelé, the soccer legend who passed away on December 29, 2022. The event commenced with a video showcasing some of the significant moments in the King of Football’s career, followed by a speech by former player Ronaldo. He reminisced about Pelé’s exceptional skills, which set him apart from his peers and made him an inspiration for the world of football. Ronaldo also highlighted Pelé’s contribution to society and how he broke barriers by becoming the most popular sport’s black king, thus inspiring generations to come.
The ceremony proceeded with a special award presented to Pelé’s widow, Márcia Aoki, who also addressed the audience. She expressed her gratitude for the honor bestowed upon her former teammate and emphasized that the world received both Edson Arantes and Pelé with open arms.
The tribute concluded with a soulful performance by Brazilian musician Seu Jorge, who sang the song “Changes.” The event highlighted Pelé’s impact not only on the sport of football but also on society and how he paved the way for future generations to break barriers and overcome racism.
Puskas Award
During the award ceremony, Brazil had a candidate for the prestigious Puskas Award, which is presented to the player who scores the most beautiful goal of the season. Striker Richarlison was in contention for the trophy, thanks to his stunning volley during the 2-0 victory of the Brazilian team in the Qatar Cup. However, the eventual winner of the award was Marcin Oleksy, a Polish player from Warta Poznan. Despite having his left leg amputated, Oleksy scored a remarkable comeback goal that stole the show and won the hearts of the audience.
Richarlison’s nomination for the Puskas Award was a testament to his exceptional skills and contribution to the Brazilian team’s success. Although he did not win the award, his fantastic goal in the Qatar Cup was a remarkable moment in the sport of football. On the other hand, Oleksy’s story is a true inspiration to all those who face adversity in life, and his goal was a symbol of resilience and determination that left a lasting impact on the audience.
Melhores técnicos
Brazil was also in the running for the Best Coach award in women’s football. Pia Sundhage, the Swedish coach of the Brazilian team, was among the three finalists for the trophy. However, the award was eventually won by Sarina Wiegman, the Dutch coach of the England team. Sundhage’s nomination was a recognition of her excellent leadership and coaching skills, which contributed to the success of the Brazilian team.
In the men’s category, the award for the Best Coach was presented to Lionel Scaloni, who led Argentina to victory in the Qatar Cup. Scaloni’s impressive coaching tactics and strategic decision-making were instrumental in securing the title for Argentina, making him a deserving winner of the award.
The Best Coach awards in both men’s and women’s categories are a recognition of the significant role that coaches play in shaping and leading their respective teams to success. The recognition of coaches like Sundhage and Scaloni highlights their contribution to the sport and motivates them to continue pushing their teams to achieve greater heights.
goalkeepers of the season
The award ceremony also recognized the best goalkeepers of the season in both men’s and women’s football. The honor for the best goalkeeper in men’s football was presented to Emiliano Martinez, an essential part of the Argentine team’s campaign in the World Cup. Martinez, who plays for Aston Villa in England, received the trophy from former Brazilian goalkeeper Julio Cesar. The award was a testament to Martinez’s outstanding performance in the season and his contribution to Argentina’s success in the World Cup.
In the women’s category, the award for the best goalkeeper was presented to Mary Earps, an Englishwoman who played a crucial role in helping her country win the women’s Euro Cup. Earps, who also played for Manchester United in England, was recognized for her exceptional goalkeeping skills and contribution to her team’s success.
The recognition of the best goalkeepers in both men’s and women’s categories highlights the significant role that they play in the sport of football. The awards are a recognition of their talent, hard work, and dedication to the sport, inspiring them and future generations of goalkeepers to continue striving for excellence.
