Football's governing body FIFA honors the best footballer in the world every year and Argentine superstar Lionel Messi this time claimed it for his outstanding 2022 calendar year. Messi was named alongside 13 other nominees for the coveted individual prize. However, the 35-year-old edged out everyone with a clean sweep which is his second Best FIFA Men's Player Award.

Why Lionel Messi deserves to win the 2022 FIFA Best award?

FIFA World Cup 2022

Messi was the absolute favorite to land the coveted award for his outstanding World Cup campaign. After missing it in the 2014 World Cup, he finally managed to grab the trophy this time around being the best player of the tournament. The Argentine captain looked like a man on a mission every time he wore the Blue and White jersey.

With seven goals and three assists in seven games in the World Cup, he was the main driving force behind Argentina's third World Cup victory. It was the only possible trophy that was missing from Messi's cabinet and leading his national side to the World Championship after 36 long years, symbolizes his effectiveness.

However, not only the World Cup victory, the last calendar year was pretty impressive for Messi for other reasons as well. There are a couple of other factors as well which could signify his claim further.

Finalissima 2022

After the Copa America victory, Messi led his nation to yet another International trophy last year. A one-off match that saw the champions of South America taking on the winners of the European Championship winner 2020, resulted in favor of the Copa winners. Messi did not score or assist in the final however the little Argentine was pivotal in almost every goal scored by Lautaro Martnez, Angel Di Maria, and Paulo Dybala that overpowered Italy with a 3-0 scoreline.

Ligue 1 title

Lionel Messi's arrival in Paris saw the side getting hands to their League title once again last season when they cruise past Marseille for the top spot. Messi's first season in France however did not produce heavy numbers with just 11 goals and 15 assists to his name. But, the ongoing season once again is seeing him at his absolute best with 16 goals and 14 assists in 27 games across competitions. With so many accolades and numbers beside him, surely not many could argue about the former Barcelona captain's honor.