The BBC sports website and application awarded Argentina captain Lionel Messi, who won the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the title of world sports star for the current year.
Messi, 35, led his country to the World Cup for the first time in 36 years. Where Argentina beat West Germany at the time in the 1986 World Cup, which was held in Mexico.
The Paris Saint-Germain striker won the Golden Ball award – which is awarded to the best player in the world – after scoring seven goals in his fifth World Cup finals with his country.
The former Barcelona star is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers in the history of the game.
Messi scored two goals in the World Cup final and then scored a goal from a kick to win Argentina four goals to two goals after a match that lasted 120 minutes, the original and extra time ended in a draw with three goals.
