2 nights ago at Zurich, Switzerland, FIFA organized the annual Best Awards for calendar year 2022. It was a star studded event as world’s biggest footballing stars gathered together under one roof. The FIFA Best awards are regarded very prestigious and winning awards are a matter of honor for footballers who work hard throughout the year.
FIFA Best Awards includes individual laurels for both Men’s and Women’s Best player, coach, goal and best combined XI. Argentina captain Lionel Messi became the Best player in Men’s category for the 2nd time in his illustrious career with the first coming in 2019.
BREAKING🔔⏰: Leo Messi has returned the FIFA Best award after Pendu Kumar from Dharavi,Madrid says it's underserved.🚨 pic.twitter.com/xriEiWEjEw
— Fermi (@BarcaFermi) February 28, 2023
Spanish International Alexia Putellas bagged home the Best Women’s footballer award. Argentina’s 2022 World cup winning head coach Lionel Scaloni became the Best coach while Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti and Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola took the 2nd and 3rd position respectively.
https://twitter.com/FIFAWorldCup/status/1630540095366344708
But the main moment came when the FIFA Best Men’s Goalkeeper for 2022 was announced. It was an Argentinian who bagged this award for the 3rd time that night. Aston Villa and Argentina world cup winner Emiliano Martinez was felicitated as the Best goalkeeper as he saw off competition from Belgium’s Thibaut Curtois and Morocco #1 Yassine Bonou.
As we all know, Emi Martinez was one of the key reasons behind La Albiceleste’s 3rd World cup trophy at Qatar. The 30-year-old was also awarded as the Best goalkeeper and his celebration in the podium after the major win was absolutely hilarious.
mbappe's reaction on emi Martinez pic.twitter.com/byHjvFfNpQ
— Imran hussen Tushar (@imranhussent) February 27, 2023
During celebrations back home, Martinez mocked Kylian Mbappe with a Ninja turtle soft toy. That particular celebration was heavily criticized but after some time, it got shrugged off. And while Martinez appeared on stage to collect his trophy, Kylian Mbappe looked blank.
Kylian Mbappe made his feelings clear.
The France star was viciously mocked by Emi Martinez after the 2022 World Cup final.
Martinez won the FIFA Best Goalkeeper Award.#FIFABesthttps://t.co/T9rdzC5zWA
— Sports Brief (@sportsbriefcom) February 28, 2023
Kylian Mbappe gives stone-faced reaction as Emi Martinez wins Fifa Best Goalkeeper award after mocking him at World Cuphttps://t.co/0B2x5hrlc4 pic.twitter.com/yvYMgX4TRk
— The Sun Football ⚽ (@TheSunFootball) February 28, 2023
The Frenchman was sitting alongside Martinez’s national team captain Lionel Messi, who was delighted to see his team mate but fans think that Mbappe was not having it. He sat with a blank face and showed no emotions and expressions whatsoever.
The difference in reactions between Messi and Mbappé when Martinez received his award. 🤣 pic.twitter.com/r7VWZFiRbM
— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) February 27, 2023
