Lionel Messi Lifting the FIFA World Cup Wins Big at ES Awards in 2022

The year 2022 is coming to an end. It’s time to look at the year’s memorable events before moving to a new year. As sports fans, we saw many special moments throughout the year. EssentiallySports has, from a host of these moments, picked its fairytale moment of the year 2022.

There were many such moments to choose a winner from. Real Madrid star striker Karim Benzema won Ballon d’Or, Real Madrid won a record 14th UEFA Champions League with a series of comebacks, fans shattered the attendance record twice at Camp Nou for the Barcelona women’s team game, and the English women’s team won the Euros. 

Qatar FIFA World Cup proved to be one of the best tournaments ever. It produced many memorable moments and shocking results that made fans forget all controversies at the start of the tournament. Messi came into the World Cup with only a dream of winning the trophy that has eluded him so far.

Lionel Messi lifting the FIFA World Cup wins the Fairytale moment of the year

Los Angeles Rams won the Super Bowl LVI, Golden State Warriors won NBA, and Rafael Nadal’s Australian Open and French Open wins, also made the highlights. However, what stood out the most was Lionel Messi, one of the greatest of this generation, winning the FIFA World Cup with his nation Argentina for the first time.

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A dream that came true for the Argentine, EssentiallySports chooses Messi lifting the 2022 WC as a fairytale moment.

Messi stood out for Argentina in the tournament, scoring seven goals, one behind the Golden Boot winner. The former Barcelona star became the highest goal scorer for Argentina in the World Cups and won the Golden Ball. That was not it. He became the only player to provide assists at five different World Cups. 

ES Awards: Full list of the 2022 awards

Here’s a full list of the rest of the awards:

1. WTF moment of the year: Antonio Brown exposing himself to a woman
2. Heart-breaking announcement/moment of the year: Serena Williams retiring
3. Most-dominant moment of the year: Chris Bumstead winning Mr. Olympia for 4th time in a row
4. Fairytale moment of the year: Lionel Messi lifting World Cup with Argentina
5. Shocking moment of the year: Bubba Wallace punching fellow NASCAR driver
6. Picture-perfect moment of the year: Formula One Miami GP pic of Michael Jordan, David Beckham, Tom Brady, and others
7. Cringe-worthy moment of the year: Salt Bae’s World Cup cringe
8. Most-Controversial moment of the year: Lia Thomas
9. Biggest Disruptive sporting moment of the year: LIV Golf inaugural season
10.  End of an era moment of the year: Vince McMahon
11.  Wildest moment of the year: (80-1) underdog Rich Strike winning the famous Kentucky derby after ranking 16th in the final turn
12. Most viral athlete off-the court: Brittney Griner
13. Impossible moment of the year: Ross Chastain advancing to Championship 4
14. Breakout star of the year: Carlos Alcaraz
15. Unexpected truth-bomb of the year: Cristiano Ronaldo exposing Manchester United’s leadership
16. Saddest moment of the year: Nadal vs Federer holding hands and tearing up
17. Upset of the Year: Hadi Choopan winning Mr. Olympia over Big Ramy
18. Meme-worthy moment of the year: LeBron James interview memes
19. Entertainers of the Year: Paul Brothers
20. Blooper of the Year: Tom Brady retiring for 40 days
21. Underdog story of the year: Leon Edwards KO at UFC 278
22. Comeback of the Year: Minnesota Vikings completing the biggest comeback in NFL history

What are your thoughts on the awards? Let us know in the comment section below.

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