Picture Credit: Twitter
Argentine footballing stalwart Lionel Messi asked his kids to sleep after winning the Best FIFA men’s player award for 2022 in Paris. Messi was pivotal in Argentina’s World Cup triumph scoring incredible seven goals and three assists during the tournament, including goals in each knockout round.
Lionel Messi pipped Paris Saint Germain teammate Kylian Mbappe and reigning Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema to win this accolade. After receiving the award, Messi thanked his family and the people of Argentina for their constant support in this memorable campaign before instructing his kids to go to bed and sleep.
Messi said, “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!”
Earlier in his speech, Messi congratulated his fellow nominees Mbappe and Benzema for their incredible performances over the past year. He then commended his teammates and manager Luis Scaloni for their determination and support in this crazy year.
He said, “This is an honour for me. I want to thank my colleagues, including my manager Scaloni, and we’re here representing them all (the Argentina team), as we would not be here without them. It recognises the role they played in what we achieved. It’s been a crazy year for me. I have achieved my dream, after so much fighting, and so much determination to win it.”
Messi wasn’t the only Argentine to win accolades at the FIFA Best award as Albiceleste manager Scaloni and goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez won in their respective categories. Other awards winners at the ceremony were Mary Earps (Best FIFA Women's Goalkeeper), Marcin Oleksy (FIFA Puskas Award), Sarina Wiegman (Best FIFA Women's coach) and Luka Lochoshvili (FIFA Fair Play Award).
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