Lionel Messi was named Best FIFA Men's Player at a ceremony in Paris on Monday.

"It's amazing. It was a tremendous year and it is an honor for me to be here tonight and win this award," said Messi, who sat next to Kylian Mbappe throughout the ceremony at the Salle Pleyel.

Monday's award was Messi's second FIFA The Best title, his first coming in 2019. He has also won a record seven Ballon d'Or awards.

"I want to express my thanks to [coach Lionel] Scaloni and my teammates; without them I would not be here," Messi added.

"I achieved a dream I had been hoping for so long and finally I achieved it. It's a dream for any player; very few people can achieve that and I was lucky enough to do so."

Karim Benzema has won the 2022 Ballon d'Or at a ceremony in Paris.

Benzema, 34, scored a career-best 27 times in LaLiga and was top scorer in the Champions League with 15 goals, including hat tricks against Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea.

Benzemia finished ahead of Bayern Munich's Sadio Mane and Manchester City's Kevin de Bruyne, who came in second and third, respectively. PSG striker Kylian Mbappe came in sixth, while Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo was 20th.

"I'm really proud seeing this prize, it's been my dream since I was a kid. I grew up with this in my head, and after that I had the motivation," Benzema said.

"I had two role models in my life: Zizou [Zinedine Zidane] and [Brazil legend] Ronaldo. It's a lot of work; I never gave up and I kept that dream in my head. Anything is possible.

"It's been difficult for me. There was a time when I wasn't playing for the national team, but I didn't give up. It's been difficult for me and that just makes me stronger mentally. I'm really happy with my work."

Lionel Messi believes Karim Benzema deserves to win the Ballon d'Or this year.

Benzema had the best season of his 13-year career at Real, scoring 44 goals with 15 assists in all competitions as they won a LaLiga-Champions League double.

"There are no doubts; it's very clear that Benzema had a spectacular year and ended up victorious in the Champions League," Messi said on Argentine television.

"He was fundamental in all the matches from the round of 16 onwards. I think there is no doubt this year."

The award will be presented on Oct. 17th ahead of the World Cup. The trophy will now be awarded on the basis of a regular season from August to July rather than a calendar year.

Lionel Messi has won the Ballon d'Or for a seventh time, beating out Robert Lewandowski.

Messi led Argentina to their first major trophy since 1993.

Messi now has two more Ballon d'Or awards than Cristiano Ronaldo. 

Diego Rossi finished the 2020 MLS regular season with 14 goals, becoming the youngest player to win the MLS Golden Boot.

Rossi is 22 years old and has scored 42 goals in 85 career appearances with LAFC.

Kevin De Bruyne has been named the Premier League Player of the season for 19-20.

De Bruyne helped City finish second in the Premier League, but they were a distant 18 points behind champions Liverpool.

De Bruyne had 13 goals with 20 assists.

Trent Alexander-Arnold has won the Premier League's Young Player of the Season award.

Alexander-Arnold had 13 assists and four goals in the Premier League.

Alexander-Arnold beat out Marcus Rashford and Christian Pulisic to win the award.

Bruno Fernandes was named the Premier League player of the month for February.

The 25-year-old Fernandes moved to Manchester United for $61 million over the winter transfer window.

Fernandes has two goals and three assists since making his United debut.

United are also undefeated with Fernandes. 

"Since I was a kid it was a dream to play for Man United, and to be there at Old Trafford is the biggest dream of my career," said Fernandes.

"When you come to a new club you always want to score, and the first goal is special. It doesn't matter how the goal is scored, but important is the goal's worth. I'm happy with my start but from now I need to give more to be better."

France extended Didier Deschamps' contract through the 2022 World Cup.

Deschamps took over the national team in 2012, winning the World Cup in 2018.

The extension represents the third in Deschamps' time with France.

Megan Rapinoe has won the 2019 woman's Ballon d'Or award.

Rapinoe beat England’s Lucy Bronze, who came second, and her fellow American Alex Morgan.

Rapinoe was unable to attend the ceremony and recorded a message.