The Best FIFA Awards 2022: Celebrating Football's Elite
The Best FIFA Awards recognize the most outstanding achievements in global football, honoring the players, coaches, and fans who defined the sport over a specific period. The 2022 cycle highlighted a historic year for the game, marked by the intensity of the World Cup and the continued rise of the women's game.
Key Facts
- Lionel Messi won The Best FIFA Men's Player with 52 points.
- Alexia Putellas secured her second consecutive win as The Best FIFA Women's Player.
- Marcin Oleksy became the first amputee footballer to win the FIFA Puskás Award.
- Argentina fans took home the FIFA Fan Award with over 650,000 votes.
- A special posthumous award was presented to Pelé for his lifelong contribution to football.
The Best Men's Awards
The selection for the men's categories was based on achievements between August 8, 2021, and December 18, 2022. Lionel Messi claimed the top honor as the Men's Player of the Year, finishing with 52 scoring points.
Goalkeeping and Coaching
Emiliano Martínez was named The Best FIFA Men's Goalkeeper, earning 26 ranking points. On the sidelines, Lionel Scaloni was recognized as The Best FIFA Men's Coach with 28 scoring points.
The Best Women's Awards
The criteria for the women's player awards focused on achievements from August 7, 2021, to July 31, 2022. Alexia Putellas continued her dominance by winning The Best FIFA Women's Player for the second year in a row, totaling 50 scoring points.
Goalkeeping and Coaching
Mary Earps secured the title of The Best FIFA Women's Goalkeeper with 26 scoring points. In the coaching category, Sarina Wiegman was honored as The Best FIFA Women's Coach, finishing with 28 scoring points.
Special Recognition and Fair Play
Beyond individual performance, FIFA recognizes extraordinary moments and sportsmanship. The FIFA Puskás Award, which honors the most beautiful goal of the year, was won by Marcin Oleksy for his strike in the 2022 PZU Amp Futbol Ekstraklasa. The winner was determined by an equal weight of votes from registered FIFA.com users and a panel of experts.
The FIFA Fan Award celebrated the passion of the supporters. Argentina fans won the award (41.88% of the vote) for their immense support during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and the subsequent celebrations in Buenos Aires.
In a display of heroism, Luka Lochoshvili of Wolfsberger AC received the FIFA Fair Play Award for saving teammate Georg Teigl's life by clearing his airways after he swallowed his tongue.
Finally, FIFA presented a Special Award posthumously to Pelé, received by his wife Marcia Aoki, to honor his legendary role in the history of football.
Summary of Major Award Winners
| Category | Winner | Points/Votes |
|---|---|---|
| Men's Player | Lionel Messi | 52 |
| Women's Player | Alexia Putellas | 50 |
| Men's Goalkeeper | Emiliano Martínez | 26 |
| Women's Goalkeeper | Mary Earps | 26 |
| Men's Coach | Lionel Scaloni | 28 |
| Women's Coach | Sarina Wiegman | 28 |
| Puskás Award | Marcin Oleksy | 21 |
| Fan Award | Argentina Fans | 656,253 |
FIFA FIFPRO World 11
The FIFPRO World 11 represents the best players in the world as voted by their peers. The 2022 selections highlighted a mix of established legends and rising stars.
Men's World 11
- Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois
- Defenders: Achraf Hakimi, Virgil van Dijk, João Cancelo
- Midfielders: Kevin De Bruyne, Casemiro, Luka Modrić
- Forwards: Lionel Messi, Karim Benzema, Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappé
Women's World 11
- Goalkeeper: Christiane Endler
- Defenders: Lucy Bronze, Mapi León, Wendie Renard, Leah Williamson
- Midfielders: Lena Oberdorf, Alexia Putellas, Keira Walsh
- Forwards: Sam Kerr, Beth Mead, Alex Morgan
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the selection period for the Men's Player of the Year?
The selection criteria for the men's awards covered achievements from August 8, 2021, to December 18, 2022.
Who was the first amputee footballer to win the Puskás Award?
Marcin Oleksy became the first amputee footballer to win the award for his goal during the match between Warta Poznań and Stal Rzeszów.
How is the FIFA Puskás Award winner decided?
The winner is determined by a combination of votes from registered FIFA.com users and a panel of FIFA experts, with both groups' votes weighing equally.
Why did Argentina fans win the FIFA Fan Award?
They were recognized for their support in traveling to Qatar for the 2022 FIFA World Cup and the millions of fans who welcomed the team back to Buenos Aires.
What was the reason for Luka Lochoshvili receiving the Fair Play Award?
Lochoshvili saved the life of Georg Teigl by clearing the defender's airways after he had swallowed his tongue, allowing him to regain consciousness.