FIFA The Best Award 2023 Overview:
In a highly anticipated award ceremony held in London on January 15, football pundits weighed in on the contest between Lionel Messi and Haaland of Manchester City for the prestigious FIFA The Best Award.
The consensus among many was that Haaland deserved the recognition over Messi.
Performance Period and Player Achievements:
Nominated based on their performances between December 19, 2022, and August 20, 2023, Messi, at 36, showcased his skills in both French Ligue 1 with Paris Saint-Germain and the Major League Soccer with Inter Miami.
Despite winning the French Ligue 1 and the Leagues Cup, Messi faced stiff competition from Haaland.
Haaland’s Historic Treble with Manchester City:
During the same period, Haaland’s remarkable contribution to Manchester City’s historic treble, including victories in the Premier League, FA Cup, and UEFA Champions League, established him as a strong contender.
Scoring an impressive 53 goals throughout the 2022-2023 season, Haaland’s stellar performance garnered widespread recognition.
Messi’s Victory in FIFA The Best Award:
Despite expectations leaning towards Haaland, Messi secured the FIFA The Best Award for the third time in his career.
The voting process ended with both Messi and Haaland receiving 48 votes each. To break the tie, organizers considered the number of times the players came first in the voting cards of national team captains.
Captains’ Votes as Tiebreaker:
The tiebreaker revealed Messi as the favored choice among national team captains. Notable football figures, including Mohamed Salah, Luka Modric, Harry Kane, Virgil Van Dijk, and others, cast their votes in favor of Messi, tipping the scale in his favor.
Messi’s Third FIFA The Best Triumph:
With Messi securing the majority of captains’ votes, he emerged as the winner of the 2023 FIFA The Best Award.
This victory marked Messi’s third win, highlighting his enduring influence and recognition within the football community.
Notable National Team Captains Who Voted for Messi:
Among the captains casting pivotal votes for Messi were Mohamed Salah (Egypt), Luka Modric (Croatia), Harry Kane (England), Virgil Van Dijk (The Netherlands), and several others from countries around the globe.
In summary, Messi’s triumph in the FIFA The Best Award 2023 added another chapter to his illustrious career, emphasizing his continued impact on the global football stage.
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