Lionel Messi's win at The FIFA Best Awards 2023 highlights that popularity doesn't always equal deserving recognition. While Messi has rightfully earned numerous individual honors in the past, his latest victory for the men's Player of the Year award seems questionable. This marks his third win since the award's inception in 2016, having previously secured it in 2019 and 2022.
In the 2023 edition, Messi narrowly surpassed competitors Erling Haaland (Manchester City/Norway) and Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain/France) to claim the top prize in London. Surprisingly, none of the three nominees were present at the ceremony. Messi and Haaland tied in points, but Messi secured the win due to more first-place nominations from national team captains.
The winners were decided through a combination of votes from national team coaches, captains, journalists, and fans on FIFA's website, each accounting for 25 percent of the decision-making process.
The puzzling aspect lies in Haaland missing out on his first FIFA top honor. He achieved remarkable success with Manchester City, excelling in goal-scoring throughout the Premier League, breaking records, and securing an impressive treble of the Premier League, FA Cup, and UEFA Champions League during the awards' evaluation period.
Between December 19, 2022, and August 20, 2023, Haaland netted an astonishing 30 goals, solidifying his exceptional season. In contrast, Messi scored nine goals for PSG and won the French Ligue 1 title, later adding 10 goals in seven games with Inter Miami, clinching the inaugural Leagues Cup in the United States.
Controversy Surrounding that as tp How did a player win the top honor for MLS performances over someone dominating in the most competitive league and securing a treble? Has FIFA Best Awards lost credibility by denying Haaland the Best Male Player award? Is the ongoing obsession with Messi reaching embarrassing levels? The controversy surrounding Messi's latest accolade raises doubts about the fairness and credibility of these prestigious awards.
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