Amputee footballer Oleksy's incredible goal wins Puskas award as Messi, Alexia crowned best players of 2022

PARIS: Marcin Oleksy, a 23-year-old Polish amputee footballer, who lost his left leg after being hit by a car during road construction, became an inspiration to millions around the globe by winning the 'Puskas Award' at the FIFA award event on Monday. The 'Puskas Award' for the best goal of 2022 was for Oleksy's overhead kick in Poland’s domestic amputee football league on 6 November 2022 for Warta Poznań against Stal Rzeszów in the Amp Futbol Ekstraklasa.

This was the first time an amputee football or any Polish player had been nominated for the award. He won the award for best goal after beating competition from Richarlison, Dimitri Payet and Mbappe.

The night otherwise belonged to Argentine football and its men's national team captain Lionel Messi, who led the Albiceleste to the World Cup title after 36 years. Argentina won most of the awards as Emiliano Martinez was named the best goalkeeper of the year, national team coach Lionel Scaloni won the award for the best coach of the year, and the team's talisman and legendary captain Lionel Messi took home his 7th FIFA award for the best men's player of 2022.

Barcelona's Spanish midfielder Alexia Putellas won the women's player of the year for the second time in a row. The night was made even sweeter for Argentina fans as the supporters were honoured with FIFA Fan Award in recognition of the passionate backing they gave their team at the World Cup in Qatar.