• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Lionel Messi embraced Kylian Mbappe after being announced as Best FIFA Men's Player, his wife only got a knee tap

Home> Football

Updated 12:57 28 Feb 2023 GMTPublished 12:56 28 Feb 2023 GMT

Lionel Messi embraced Kylian Mbappe after being announced as Best FIFA Men's Player, his wife only got a knee tap

Lionel Messi won the Best FIFA Men's Player award for the second time after a stunning 2022.

Josh Lawless

Josh Lawless

Lionel Messi embraced Kylian Mbappe more than he did his wife after being announced as the winner of the Best FIFA Men's Player award.

Messi won the gong for the second time and claimed a 77th individual honour after a stunning 2022 during which he captained Argentina to their first World Cup in 36 years.

The 35-year-old was the overwhelming favourite to claim the prize and lead in votes from players, coaches and fans to accrue 52 points overall.

His teammate Mbappe came second on 44, with 2022 Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema coming in third place with 35 points.

Messi was presented the award by FIFA president Gianni Infantino but when his name was read out, he shared a warm embrace with Mbappe in Paris.

Advert

The France star was set to his right, with his wife Antonella Roccuzzo on his left. But poor Antonella didn't get the same love as Mbappe, with Messi instead giving him a little tap on the knee as he got out of his seat to head to the stage.

It garnered a whole lot of reaction on social media, with one fan joking: "Priorities. Playmate before Soulmate."

A second said: "He forgot he was supposed to lean in the other side."

Advert

A third laughed: "Bro forgot to kiss his wife and was about to kiss Mbappe."

Another tweeted: "Leo is embracing and TRIED to give him a peck and just a knee tap for her."

A fifth stated: "Real recognise real."

Image: Alamy
Image: Alamy

Advert

Messi, who was also named in the FIFPro World 11, gave a wonderful speech upon collecting his gong and finished by telling his three children to go to sleep.

He said: “It’s been a crazy year for me. I have achieved my dream, after so much fighting, and so much determination to win it.

"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.

Advert

“I want to send a kiss to my children, who are watching this, Thiago Mateo and Ciro, I love you…… now go to bed!”

Image: Alamy
Image: Alamy

According to FIFA’s official website, for his voting, Messi selected PSG colleagues Neymar and Mbappe as his first two picks, as well as opting for Benzema in the third spot.

Messi has 17 goals and 18 assists for PSG this season and will look to add to his tally against Nantes in Ligue One on Saturday.

Featured Image Credit: FIFA

Topics: Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Paris Saint-Germain

Josh Lawless
Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and WWE. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has covered two WrestleMania events for SPORTbible.

X

@joshlawless_

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

7 hours ago
8 hours ago
9 hours ago
11 hours ago
  • 7 hours ago

    Kairat Almaty create piece of Champions League history after win over Celtic and it may never be topped

    Kairat Almaty beat Celtic on penalties to make history.

    Football
  • 8 hours ago

    Bruno Fernandes 'open to new project' as club want to sign him from Man Utd in £100m deal

    Fernandes turned down a move to the Saudi Pro League earlier this summer.

    Football
  • 9 hours ago

    Kobbie Mainoo's Man Utd future takes twist with Premier League club new 'favourites' to sign him

    Mainoo has played a bit-part role at United under Ruben Amorim.

    Football
  • 11 hours ago

    Alejandro Garnacho breaks silence with cryptic post after 'rejecting offer' to leave Man Utd

    Alejandro Garnacho turned down a proposal to leave Manchester United and got fans talking with a social media post.

    Football
  • Fans notice Kylian Mbappe's reaction to Lionel Messi's 95th minute free-kick winner
  • Lionel Messi left audience in stitches at the end of Best FIFA Men's Player award acceptance speech
  • Kylian Mbappe’s reaction to Emiliano Martinez winning Best FIFA Men’s goalkeeper award has got fans talking
  • Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe perfect insane kick-off routine, score within 10 seconds for PSG