Disgruntled soccer followers claimed FIFA “rigged” their Best award for Lionel Messi – however the votes of two Real Madrid stars would recommend in any other case.
Messi claimed his third high prize at FIFA’s annual awards ceremony in London on Monday (January 15) evening, including to his 2019 and 2022 triumphs. He was stage on factors with Manchester City purpose machine Erling Haaland within the voting.
But the pre-determined tiebreaker of who acquired probably the most picks by nationwide group captains noticed the Inter Miami star win out. Plenty of followers had been nonetheless unimpressed, given Messi’s somewhat quiet 2023, compared to the remainder of his legendary profession.
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One argued: “Messi winning this award is a mad ting. FIFA is rigged.” A second questioned: “Another rigged one for this FIFA show monkey. What did he do in 2023?”
A 3rd exclaimed: “Make it make sense!? How have players voted for him!?” And a fourth fumed: “FIFA can keep their rigged awards but Ronaldo will still be the GOAT.”
“This has to be the greatest robbery in the history of football,” claimed a fifth, whereas a sixth slammed: “Wow I’m starting to agree with Ronaldo fans because these awards are clearly rigged for Messi to win, scandalous!”
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(Image: NurPhoto by way of Getty Images)
But even Luka Modric and Federico Valverde of Ronaldo’s former facet Real put Messi high of their vote slips. Modric picked City midfielder Rodri second and his Croatia team-mate Marcelo Brozovic third, whereas Valverde went for Haaland and Kylian Mbappe.
PSG ahead Mbappe got here third general with 35 factors, which was 13 lower than Messi and Haaland. He additionally named Messi as his winner having performed alongside him for 2 seasons on the Parc des Princes.
So did England skipper Harry Kane and Egypt’s talisman Mohamed Salah. Messi wasn’t in attendance to simply accept his accolade, with present host Thierry Henry accumulating it on his behalf.