Lionel Messi was named as the FIFA Best Men’s Player of 2022 in a glitzy ceremony in Paris but his long-term rival Cristiano Ronaldo did not lodge a vote for the first time in six years

Cristiano Ronaldo did not cast a vote for the FIFA Best Men’s Player of the Year award as Lionel Messi claimed the trophy once more.

The Argentine superstar was named as the best player in the world during a glittering ceremony in Paris on Monday evening after scooping the most votes from his peers. It is the second time in his career that he has claimed the award and stopped Polish forward Robert Lewandowski from taking the trophy home for the third year in succession.

Cristiano Ronaldo did not vote for the latest Best FIFA awards (Image: Getty Images)

In the aftermath of the ceremony, the voting totals were announced with an intriguing development having been confirmed by FIFA. All national team captains got the chance to vote and that would usually have been Ronaldo – the veteran forward leading his nation on 136 occasions throughout his lengthy career.

He did not take responsibility this time around though with FIFA confirming that former Real Madrid defender Pepe instead voted on behalf of the Portuguese national side. He selected Messi’s PSG teammate Kylian Mbappe as his pick, whilst former colleagues Luka Modric and Karim Benzema claimed second and third place respectively.

Interestingly, new Portugal boss Roberto Martinez gave his votes to Ronaldo’s rival Messi, whilst Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne and PSG forward Mbappe followed. The Argentine in the meantime voted for his PSG colleagues Neymar and Mbappe, whilst his third choice was Real Madrid striker Benzema.

Elsewhere, Ronaldo – the winner of the first two FIFA Best Men’s Player of the Year awards – was not eligible to receive any votes of his own this time around after not receiving a nomination. The 38-year-old has nevertheless enjoyed an electric start to life with Saudi outfit Al-Nassr with eight goals in his first six competitive appearances for his new club after his exit from Manchester United.

Lionel Messi was named as the FIFA Best Men’s Player of Year ( Image: Getty Images)

Despite now playing in different leagues, both Messi and Ronaldo have already faced off on the pitch this season. Shortly after arriving in Saudi Arabia, the Portuguese was selected in an all-star XI to take on PSG in a friendly.

The French giants ran out 5-4 winners in what was an exhilarating tie. Ronaldo twice managed to get on the scoresheet whilst Messi also found the net in a game that also saw Brazilian defender Marquinhos sent off.

Speaking after claiming the latest award, Messi responded with an emotional speech. Speaking alongside FIFA president Gianni Infantino, he said: “Wow, it’s amazing. It’s been a tremendous year and it’s an honour for me to be here tonight and win this award.

“Without my team-mates I wouldn’t be here. I achieved the dream I had been hoping for for so long. Very few people can achieve that and I have been lucky to do so.”

Kylian Mbappe finally changes his tune on Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi debate

Kylian Mbappe has previously made his thoughts on the greatest of all time debate between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi clear but the Paris Saint-Germain superstar appears to have changed his mind

Paris Saint-Germain superstar Kylian Mbappe appears to have performed a stark u-turn over who he believes is better between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

The two forwards have long forged a competitive rivalry throughout their respective careers – something that peaked during their spells with Real Madrid and Barcelona. It appeared that Messi had put the debate to bed after finally securing a World Cup winners’ medal in Qatar last year.

Messi’s glorious campaign has also seems to have definitively changed the mind of his PSG teammate Mbappe. The Frenchman was previously a huge admirer of Portuguese icon Ronaldo.

The striker’s father admitted that the veteran was among Mbappe’s heroes within the game. Speaking in 2016, he said: “He [Mbappe] is a Real Madrid fan and his idol is Cristiano Ronaldo. He used to spend hours watching videos [of Ronaldo] on the internet.”

That was a claim that was backed up by Mbappe’s former teammate Abdou Diallo. He previously suggested that the striker was under no illusions over who was better.

Speaking in December, the defender said: “Cristiano Ronaldo is literally everything to Kylian Mbappe. If you mention Lionel Messi against Cristiano, Mbappe will debate with you for at least an hour. For him, Cristiano is untouchable.”

Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe were both named in the FIFPRO Men’s World XI ( Image: Getty Images)

Mbappe performed his change of opinion on social media in the aftermath of The Best FIFA Awards. A glitzy ceremony was held in Paris on Monday evening to celebrate the best players in both the men’s and the women’s game in 2022.

Messi was named as the Best Men’s Player of the Year following his outstanding performances as Argentina lifted the World Cup, whilst he has also managed to find electric form. The veteran was also named in the FIFPRO Men’s World XI alongside his club teammate Mbappe.

The latter issued his response to the pair’s evening, whilst sending his congratulations to Messi with a telling message. Taking to Instagram, he wrote: “Another trophy at home. Big congratulations to @leomessi you are #TheBest.”

The pair have certainly struck up an excellent understanding on the pitch this term as PSG attempt to lift yet another Ligue 1 crown. After a stuttering debut season at the Parc des Princes, he has 17 goals and 16 assists to his name in all competitions this term.

Mbappe in the meantime has also enjoyed a brilliant time of things after plundering 29 goals in all competitions so far throughout the campaign. The Frenchman also had another intriguing reaction during the FIFA awards ceremony in Paris.

He had a steely look on his face after his nemesis from the World Cup final Emi Martinez after the Villa goalkeeper was named as the Best Men’s Goalkeeper.

Source: mirror.co.uk; mirror.co.uk