FIFA awards: Lionel Messi, Alexia Putellas win big in Paris

FIFA hosted its annual Football Awards on Monday night in Paris, with luminaries from all over the globe in attendance to celebrate soccer's greatest achievements in 2022.

Argentina's Lionel Messi took home the Best Male Player award for the second time. 

"It's amazing. It's been a tremendous year, and it's an honor for me to be here and win this award," he said as he accepted the trophy. "Without my teammates, I wouldn't be here."

FIFA agreed, bestowing the Best Goalkeeper award upon Messi's compatriot, Emiliano Martinez. Since joining the Argentina squad as a regular starter, Martinez has been instrumental in its success, serving as a penalty specialist with nerves of steel and an attitude to match. 

In Paris, however, Martinez was gentle and reflective, giving kudos to his hardworking parents. 

"They always ask me who my idols are," he said. "Watching my mom clean buildings for eight or nine hours and watching my dad work, they are my idols."

Barcelona's Alexia Putellas took home the Best Female Player trophy despite missing last summer's European Championships with a knee injury. She scored 34 goals for Barcelona last season and played in their famous Champions League game against Real Madrid -- the game that set the official women's global soccer attendance record at 91,553. 

Putellas will travel to Oceania this summer with Spain to compete in the women's World Cup.

To close the evening, FIFA named their 2022 Best Men's team, selecting Thibaut Courtois in goal, Achraf Hakimi, Virgil van Dijk and João Cancelo on defense, Casemiro, Luka Modric and Kevin De Bruyne at midfield and Messi, Kylian Mbappé, Karim Benzema and Erling Haaland up front. 

With just one center back in van Dijk and nine attack-minded outfield players, FIFA's 11 would certainly be entertaining ... but probably wouldn't win any awards for their defensive prowess.