420 journalists from 113 countries participated in the vote. Messi scored 962 points (25.45% of possible). The top five also included Swedish high jumper Armand Duplantis (373, 9.87%), French footballers Kylian Mbappé (366, 9.68%) and Karim Benzema (298, 7.88%), as well as swimmer Hungarian Milak Christophe (189, 5.00%). ).
In women, the Spanish soccer player Alexia Putellas was chosen as the best athlete.
Note that Messi this year, together with the Argentina national team, won the World Cup. In the final, the Albicelesta defeated France (3:3 in regulation time, 4:2 on penalties). In addition, Messi and company were stronger than the Italian team in the so-called “Finalissime”, a match between the champions of Europe and South America.
