The Best FIFA Football Awards: as it happened, ceremony, categories and winners

Scaloni defied the odds with Argentina

After becoming the interim head coach with zero coaching experience in 2018, he led Argentina to their first World Cup victory in 36 years just four years later. 

Now, he will stay with Argentina until at least 2026 to try and take them on another run like this year's. Read more here.

How many times has Messi won The Best award?

Messi actually broke the record with his seventh Best Men's Player award. He was previously tied with Brazil's six-time winner Marta for player with the most FIFA Best Player awards.

Read more about Messi's 2022 accomplishments here.

THE BEST AWARDS

Why did Cristiano Ronaldo not vote as Portugal captain at the The Best FIFA Awards 2022?

He's usually a significant factor on both sides of the voting process... but in neither this time around, and unlikely to ever be again.

Unless he takes up a role in journalism, of course!

THE BEST AWARDS

Who voted for who in Best FIFA Football Awards? Messi’s, Cristiano’s, Kane’s votes...

Some interesting selections when you dig into the voting...

That's a wrap on our live coverage from the Best Fifa Awards tonight where Lionel Messi and Alexia Putellas were crowned as the Best Men's and Women's Player for 2022 respectively,

Thanks for tuning in.

The Best full results breakdown

A full results Best FIFA Awards breakdown can be seen here

Dramatic moment when Lochoshvili reacted

Wolfsberger player Luka Lochoshvili won the FIFA fair play award after his quick thinking helped save the life of Austria Wien player, Georg Teigl after he ensured the FK Austria player avoided swallowing his tongue during a Bundesliga clash.

Men's Player Award 2022: final vote

This is the final vote breakdown in deciding the winner of the Best Fifa Men's Player Award for 2022 which was won by Argentine striker Lionel Messi.

The PSG striker beat his team-mate Mbappe by eight votes with Real Madrid's Karim Benzema coming in third place.

Argentina sweep up at Best FIFA Awards

It was a big night for Argentine football as Leo Messi scooped the Men's Player Award. Previously Aston Villa keeper 'Dibu' Martinez won the Best Men's Goalkeeper Award with coach Lionel Scaloni being named as the Best Men's Coach.

To cap the 'Albiceleste' glory, Argentinian fans were recognised for their support of the national team during the 2022 World Cup.

Messi adds the Best to his impressive haul

With seven Ballon d'Or awards already to his name, the Argentine striker added another FIFA The Best award to that which he won back in 2019.

With countless domestic medals with FC Barcelona and now PSG, the striker from Rosario can add this new award next to his treasured Copa America and 2022 Qatar World Cup winners medals.

Even Cadiz CF get in on the act

LaLiga side Cadiz CF fresh from their 1-0 home win over Rayo Vallecano at the weekend were quick to commemorate Messi's Best FIFA Award.

A popular choice clearly!

The Best

Both Messi and Alexia claimed their second The Best FIFA Awards in Paris tonight with the FC Barcelona Femeni player adding to her win last year.

The PSG striker won the award in the 2019 season when still with Barça.

The official event may have ended but stay with us as we bring you the reaction and latest news from Paris.

Messi acknowledges that it is an honour to be on the podium and even greater to win.

The striker claims that it was a dream come true to win the World Cup. 

He thanks his teammates at Argentina and his family. 

Messi wins Best FIFA Men’s Player 2022

Infantino is on hand and confirms that Lionel Messi is the Best FIFA Men’s Player 2022.
This is Messi's second FIFA The Best Award.

Next up, the The Best FIFA Men’s Player....

the shortlist is:

Karim Benzema (Real Madrid/France)

Kylian Mbappé (Paris Saint-Germain/France)

Lionel Messi (Paris Saint-Germain/Argentina)

but I think we all know who wins this one !

Alexia immediately offers the award to Morgan and Mead and also gives gratitude to her teammates at Barça.

This award will be presented by Gianni Infantino.

The winner for 2022 is: Alexia Putellas who wins the award for the second year in a row

So, next up, we're going to have the award for The Best FIFA Women’s Player.

The shortlist:

Beth Mead (Arsenal/England)

Alex Morgan (Orlando Pride/San Diego Wave/USWNT)

Alexia Putellas (Barcelona/Spain)

Two awards to go:

The Best FIFA Women’s Player & The Best FIFA Men’s Player

Red One and Angelina Jordan now offer another musical interlude.

Next up FIFPRO Men's XI

Courtois - Achraf - Cancelo - Van Dijk - De Bruyne - Modric - Casemiro - Messi - Mbappe - Benzema and Haaland

Women's FIFPRO XI

Now time for the FIFPRO XI's

Tulo Bombo picks up the award on behalf of the Argentina supporters.

He also lets slip the winner of the Best FIFA Men's Player !! and yes.... another Argentinean ....

The award will be presented by Adriana Lima and Andres Cantor and they confirm that the award goes to:

Argentinian National Team fans (Argentina)

The Best FIFA Fan Award next..

the three nominees are:

Abdullah Al Salmi (Saudi Arabia): Abdullah journeyed by foot from his hometown of Jeddah to Qatar, hiking across the Saudi Arabian desert, to support his national team at the FIFA World Cup.

Argentinian National Team fans (Argentina): Argentina fans travelled to Qatar in impressive numbers to provide incredible support for their team’s ultimately victorious FIFA World Cup campaign, and millions of fans then welcomed their heroes home to Buenos Aires and across the country.

Japanese National Team fans (Japan): Japan fans earned worldwide recognition for their tradition of staying behind to help clean the stadium after World Cup games.

FIFA Fairplay Award....up next ....Alei Daei and Formiga announce that Worlsberger player 

The winner is: Wolfsberger player Georgian Lochoshvili who helped saved the life of FK Austria Vienna player md game as he prevented him from swallowing his tounge. 

Another musical interlude as we're reminded of some of the highlights of the 2022 Qatar World Cup.

Scaloni thanks his players who helped Argentina win the World Cup in 2022.

The former Mallorca and Depor player also thanks his backroom staff.

The winner will be announced by Fabio Capello and Enganamouit who confirm that Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni is the winner.

Next award is the The Best FIFA Men’s Coach...

three men in line are:

Carlo Ancelotti (Real Madrid)

Pep Guardiola (Manchester City)

Lionel Scaloni (Argentina)

Wiegman wins Best Award for third time

Sarina Wiegman has already won this award twice and now becomes the first person to complete a FIFA Best hat-trick.

Congratulations to the Lionesses boss.

Jill Ellis and Hristo Stoichkov are on hand to announce that the winner is Sarina Wiegman.

That's her third Best FIFA Award !

Next up ... coaching awards and first up will be The Best FIFA Women’s Coach.

Shortlist three are:

Sonia Bompastor (Lyon)

Pia Sundhage (Brazil)

Sarina Wiegman (England)

Three awards under the belt... five to go....

The final three and the Olesky strike !

Del Piero and Carli Lloyd confirm that....

...the winner is ..Marcin Oleksy 

These are the shortlisted three goals:

Marcin Oleksy (Poland): Warta Poznań v. Stal Rzeszów [PZU Amp Futbol Ekstraklasa] (6 November 2022)

Dimitri Payet (France): Olympique de Marseille v. PAOK Thessaloniki [UEFA Europa Conference League] (7 April 2022)

Richarlison (Brazil): Brazil v. Serbia [FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022] (24 November 2022)

Next up... the Puskas Award for the best goal of the year...

Emiliano Martinez 'The Best'

Julio Cesar and Eniola Aluko confirm that 'Dibu' Martinez wins the award.

The Villa stopper claims that this award and the World Cup is a source of pride for the nation.

The keeper dedicates the award to his 'idols' ...his mum and dad !

The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper next

The three shortlisted stoppers....

Yassine Bounou (Sevilla/Morocco)

Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid/Belgium)

Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa/Argentina)

Didier Drogba and Labbe confirm that Mary Earps is the winner.

The Manchester United/England keeper takes to the stage to collect the first award of the evening. 

Sarina Wiegman gets a mention in a fine speech from Earps.

The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper

First award of the night...

The three candidates are:

Ann-Katrin Berger (Chelsea/Germany)

Mary Earps (Manchester United/England)

Christiane Endler (Lyon/Chile)

Eternal Pele is the final message from Seu Jorge and that was a fitting celebration for 'O Rei'

Brazilian artist Seu Jorge will now offer a brief musical interlude with a Portuguese cover version of David Bowie's 'Changes'.

Jairzinho (Pele's Brazil teammate) in the audience tonight now recalls how it was to play with Pele and focuses on the now legendary 1970 World Cup final as the Selecao overcame Italy in a final that is regarded as one of the most complete displays in a World Cup final.

Carli Lloyd now recalls her perspective of Pele from his time with the NY Cosmos in the 70's. 

Marcia Aoki (Pele's widow) takes to the stage and collects a special 'Best FIFA Award' for the former Santos and Brazil legend. 

Aoki now speaks and thanks FIFA for the tribute. 

Next guest is the Real Valladolid owner as Ronaldo (Brazilian) takes to the stage and offers his memories on Pele. 

Ronaldo claims that Pele was an incredible inspiration for so many Brazilian players.

He recalls how Pele visited the striker in 2000 when he sustained a serious knee injury and adds that Pele, a black player came to be such an example for so many people and a beacon of hope for the world.

A moving moment as a short video looking back at some of O Rei's finest moments is played.

Hard to believe he's no longer with us. 

'O viva O Rei'

First up tonight is Gianni Infantino (FIFA President).

Fingers crossed it's not from the school of 'today I feel....' that greeted us on the eve of the 2022 World Cup.

Infantino thanks Qatar for hosting the tournament and he mentions the 2023 Women's World Cup.

Infantino now remembers key players such as Vialli, Mijailovich who passed away along with Pele. 

Short and sweet from Infantino. 

Off we go... the hosts take to the stage ....

Eight awards up for grabs tonight

The Best FIFA Men’s Player

The Best FIFA Women’s Player 

The Best FIFA Men’s Coach

The Best FIFA Women’s Coach

The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper 

The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper

The FIFA Puskás Award (Best goal)

The Best FIFA Fan Award 

From previous experience, I'd anticipate the event to last for approximately 90 minutes.

There are eight awards in total to be handed out tonight.

We're live in Paris with our hosts for the evening Samantha Johnson and Jermaine Jenas at a packed Salle Pleyel in the French capital.

Having said that, Alex Morgan has flown in for the event too so there may not be too much weight in that theory !

Laporta representing FCB

Sometimes one can detect the winners by those who turn up. The fact that Joan Laporta and Alexis Putellas are here would confirm the mutterings that Alexia will scoop the Women's Player Award for a second time .... time will tell.

Mbappe and Ronaldo meet on red carpet

Two terrific strikers unite on the red carpet outside the Salle Pleyel as French forward Kylian Mbappe greets Brazilian legend Ronaldo with a warm embrace...

The red carpet tonight is actually green !

Infantino arrives

FIFA President Gianni Infantino is one of the latest guests to arrive at the Salle Pleyel.

Alexia arrives

Widely tipped to pick up the Best FIFA Award for Women's Player for the second consecutive year, Alexia Putellas (FC Barcelona/Spain) arrives at the Salle Pleyel with the ceremony set to start in less than 20 minutes.

'Dibu' excited

"Dibu" Martínez speaking as he makes his way inside the before The Best Awards: "I'm not nervous, but I am excited about something that can be important for the country".

The Best FIFA Men’s Player

For accomplishments between 8 August 2021 and 18 December 2022.

Karim Benzema (Real Madrid/France)

Kylian Mbappé (Paris Saint-Germain/France)

Lionel Messi (Paris Saint-Germain/Argentina)

The wise money is going Messi's way tonight with the Argentine looking set to bag his second Best FIFA Award for Men's Player.

2022 Puskas Award (finalists)

Marcin Oleksy (Poland): Warta Poznań v. Stal Rzeszów [PZU Amp Futbol Ekstraklasa] (6 November 2022)

Dimitri Payet (France): Olympique de Marseille v. PAOK Thessaloniki [UEFA Europa Conference League] (7 April 2022)

Richarlison (Brazil): Brazil v. Serbia [FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022] (24 November 2022)

Guests arrive for photocall

The photocall area outside the Salle Pleyel is now starting to get busy as celebs and players past and present line up for the protocol snaps before making their way inside the theatre.

The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper

Shortlist:

Ann-Katrin Berger (Chelsea/Germany)

Mary Earps (Manchester United/England)

Christiane Endler (Lyon/Chile)

A tough one to call between Earps who was England’s starting goalkeeper as her nation finally won silverware in summer 2022 and Lyon stopper Endler who has cemented herself as one of the world’s top shot-stoppers in recent years and her consistency and longevity may see her edge out the rivals and could see her win the award for the second successive year.

The Best FIFA Football Awards: Women's Goalkeeper (previous winners)

2019: Sari van Veenendaal

2020: Sarah Bouhaddi

2021:Christiane Endler

The Best FIFA Football Awards: Men's Goalkeeper (previous winners)

2017: Gianluigi Buffon 

2018: Thibaut Courtois

2019: Allisson

2020: Manuel Neuer

2021: Edouard Mendy

The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper

Three finalists

Yassine Bounou (Sevilla/Morocco)

Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid/Belgium)

Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa/Argentina)

Will we see the Argentina World Cup winner factor at play in deciding this award? The Sevilla and Morocco stopper (Bonnou) was key to the 'Lions of the Atlas' becoming the first African nation to reach a World Cup semi-final with his heroics against Spain in the penalty shoot-out fresh in the mind.

Courtois was instrumental in Real Madrid winning the Champions League in Paris denying Liverpool on numerous occasions with the Belgian stopper a key player in the Bernabeu side winning the 2021-22 LaLiga title and would be a worthy winner but once again, the tipsters are giving the nod to the Aston Villa player.

The Best FIFA Football Awards: Women's Coach (previous winners)

2016: Silvia Nied

2017: Sarina Wiegman

2018: Reynald Pedros

2019: Jill Ellis

2020: Sarina Wiegman

2021: Emma Hayes

The Best FIFA Women's Coach finalists revealed

Shortlist

Sonia Bompastor (Lyon)

Pia Sundhage (Brazil)

Sarina Wiegman (England)

This award is a tricky one to call as Wiegman has already won this award twice and will become the first person to complete a FIFA Best hat-trick if she repeats the trick.

The experts are tipping the England boss for the award despite stiff competition from Bompastor who was in charge as Lyon won their eighth Champions League since 2011 and Sundhage led Brazil to victory in the Copa América, a competition they’ve only ever failed to win once.

The Best FIFA Football Awards: Men's Coach (previous winners)

2016: Claudio Ranieri 

2017: Zinedine Zidane

2018: Didier Deschamps

2019: Jurgen Klopp

2020: Jurgen Klopp

2021: Thomas Tuchel

Coach of the year (men's)

Shortlist for The Best FIFA Men's coach

Carlo Ancelotti (Real Madrid)

Pep Guardiola (Manchester City)

Lionel Scaloni (Argentina)

Despite Guardiola winning the Premier League with Manchester City and Ancelotti securing a Champions League/LaLiga double with Real Madrid, the smart money tonight is on Scaloni scooping the award for his role in overseeing Argentina win the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

The last Albiceleste win came 36 years previous and after a shock opening defeat against Saudi Arabia, Argentina overcame France in a penalty shoot-out in Lusail on 18 December.

Scaloni renews with Argentina through to 2026

It was one of the worst kept secrets but today, the AFA (Argentine FA) confirmed that head coach Lionel Scaloni will over see the natiobnal team through to the 2026 World Cup which will be staged in Mexico, Canada and the US.

Bonnou arrives in Paris

Sevilla and Morocco stopper Yassine Bonnou is on the shortlist for the Men's Goalkeeper award and was greeted by fans anxious to secure a selfie with the keeper as he arrived in the French capital.

Bonnou is up against Courtois and 'Dibu' Martinez.

The Best FIFA Football Awards: Women's Player (previous winners)

2016: Carli Lloyd

2017: Lieke Martens

2018: Marta

2019: Megan Rapinoe

2020: Lucy Bronze

2021: Alexia Putellas

Who'll bag Women's Player Award?

* For accomplishments between 7 August 2021 and 31 July 2022.

Shortlist:

Beth Mead (Arsenal/England)

Alex Morgan (Orlando Pride/San Diego Wave/USWNT)

Alexia Putellas (Barcelona/Spain)

Morgan excelled as the USWNT again won the CONCACAF W Championship and Mead did similarly as England lifted the European Championship trophy for the first time in their history on home soil. Yet Putellas has been touted by most to win the award for the second year running. She unfortunately suffered an ACL tear at the start of July 2022, just before the end of the period in consideration for the award, and missed the Euros as a result, but her achievements up until then – total domestic dominance with Barcelona, a narrow miss in the Champions League, lots of goals from midfield – mean she is the most likely winner.

Messi to scoop second The Best Award?

It certainly looks that Lionel Messi is the runaway favourite to win the Ballon d’Or in 2023, which suggests there is a pretty good chance he’ll win this one too.

Most bookmakers offer incredibly short odds of around -500 for him to win France Football’s prize come the end of the year, with Mbappé at +750 and Benzema a distant +1800, behind Erling Haaland (also around +750). Who are we to argue with a World Cup victory for his country for the first time in 36 years, a World Cup Golden Ball, bookmakers and several media outlets who have ‘leaked’ that Messi will win the award.

The Best FIFA Football Awards: Men's Player (over the years)

2016: Cristiano Ronaldo

2017: Cristiano Ronaldo

2018: Luka Modric

2019: Leo Messi

2020: Robert Lewandowski

2021: Robert Lewandowski

How Men's Player of the Year candidates stack up

The Best FIFA Men’s Player finalists

The stats and numbers behind the tree shortlisted players (for accomplishments between 8 August 2021 and 18 December 2022).

Albiceleste twist to tonight's awards?

Early suggestions point to a heavy Argentine vibe to the winners in the Best FIFA Football Awards tonight as many tip Leo Messi to scoop the Best Player Award, Lionel Scaloni to be named Coach of the Year with Aston Villa stopper 'Dibu' Martinez to lift the Best Goalkeeper Award. 

Real Madrid not expecting any winners

Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema, Thibaut Courtois and Carlo Ancelotti have all been nominated for a Best FIFA Football Award but none of the three will be in Paris tonight !

Sources close to the club have revealed that none of the three aforementioned finalists will win an award. Current Ballon d’Or holder Benzema is very much third favourite behind Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé in the best player category, while Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni will surely win best coach after his nation’s historic World Cup win.

Courtois would appear to be in with the best chance of an award but this revelation suggests Albiceleste goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez – ahead of Morocco’s Yassine Bounou – will take the goalkeeping gong.

 Only director of institutional relations Emilio Butragueño and club ambassador Roberto Carlos expected to represent Los Blancos at the event

Inside the Salle Pleyel

This short video from JB Dunckel (one half of French electronic duo Air) posted recently offers an excellent view from the stage at the concert hall where in a matter of hours, some of football's biggest names will be filling up the front row seats.

Jenas and Johnson to host ceremony

The Best FIFA Award ceremony will be hosted tonight by presenter Samantha Johnson and former Tottenham and England international Jermaine Jenas. 

The differences between 'Best FIFA Awards' and 'Ballon d'Or'

Following the breakaway from France Football, FIFA staged the first ‘The Best’ ceremony in January 2017 in Zurich, with Cristiano Ronaldo picking up the first award. The voting for this award is carried out by an international jury which comprises national team managers and captains, and a pool of journalists. A percentage of the vote is also made by fans, who cast their ballot through the FIFA website.

The awards, which have so far been staged in either September, October, December or even January, are also based on performances in the most recent season, as opposed to the calendar year.

Paris is ready !

The French capital is ready to host some of the biggest names in world football with Paris opening its doors for the first time to a live audience since 2019 with the last Best FIFA Awards to be held with guests present was in September 2019 at Milan's La Scala theatre.

Best FIFA Football Awards: How the voting system works

The voting is carried out by an international jury which composes of national team managers and captains and a pool of journalists.

Fans were also able to get involved as a percentage of the vote is made up by fans who vote through the FIFA website but voting closed for the current awards earlier this month.

Tonight's The Best FIFA Football Awards will take with a live audience present for the first time since 2019 (just before the Covid-19 pandemic transformed the world).

For the first time in three years guests will be able to attend the event in person rather than virtually,

8 awards at stake

The Best FIFA Men’s Player

The Best FIFA Women’s Player 

The Best FIFA Men’s Coach

The Best FIFA Women’s Coach

The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper 

The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper

The FIFA Puskás Award (Best goal)

The Best FIFA Fan Award 

Tonight's event is being held at Salle Pleyel in the French capital with the venue being a concert hall in the 8th arrondissement of Paris and holding a capacity of just over 2,000 people.

Hello and a warm welcome to our live coverage of the Best FIFA Football Awards 2022.

The ceremony gets underway at 21:00 in Paris (local time) / 3pm (ET) but we'll bring you all the news and talking points leading up to the event.