One of the GOATs of the beautiful game, Lionel Messi, has had a phenomenal time in the last 12 months. He won the FIFA World Cup with Argentina after a world-class tournament, finding the back of the net on 7 occasions. He managed to help the South American country overcome European giants France, who had the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Olivier Giroud as well.
Lionel Messi scores 700 club goals in his incredible career — 28 goals with PSG & 672 with Barcelona ⭐️🇦🇷 #Messi
Messi has also two assists for Mbappé tonight…
…and Leo’s also gonna win “The Best” FIFA Award on Monday in Paris 🥇 pic.twitter.com/ylyQXbQrgh
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 26, 2023
His PSG teammate managed to bag a hat trick in the final in Qatar but the game was ultimately decided on penalties. Messi lifted the prestigious trophy and even broke records that he never expected to break. The World Cup is often the stage where awards are decided. The entire world watched as Messi performed his magic on the field last year.
🚨 Winners of tonight’s FIFA ‘Best Awards’, per reliable reports:
🥇 Men’s POTY: Leo Messi
🥇 Women’s POTY: Alexia Putellas
🥇 Men’s GK: Emiliano Martinez
🥇 Men’s Coach: Lionel Scaloni pic.twitter.com/BDXPsIMzzR— Managing Barça (@ManagingBarca) February 27, 2023
His World Cup win for Argentina has now played a pivotal role in him getting the FIFA The Best award. Although it has not been announced yet, multiple sources claim that Messi has won the award. Alongside the Argentina forward, it will be goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez and head coach Lionel Scaloni as well.
Fans slam Lionel Messi’s FIFA The Best award win despite his performances at the World Cup
When a player is at the top of the world, it wouldn’t be all that surprising that he is under heavy scrutiny from fans. This has been the same for Messi’s career since he lifted the trophy in December 2022. Fans have had a go at him constantly and many have even labeled the tournament as ‘Rigged.’ It has happened once again after the winners were disclosed on social media recently. A Twitter user wrote, “Rigged for Argentina and Barcelona.”
Rigged for Argentina and Barcelona
— 𝐔𝐜𝐥•𝐈𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 (@LastWorldOrder_) February 27, 2023
For context, the players who could be receiving the award soon are from Argentina or Barcelona. Women’s POTY Alexia Putellas is one of the best players in women’s soccer and she has been constantly bagging goals in the Primera Division as well. She currently plays as a striker for Messi’s former team, Barcelona.
rigged this too🤣🤣🤣martinez messi scaloni🤦🏻♂️ this is a desrespect for ancelotti courtois and mbappe…7 mathes only 1 agains a top club and they are better than others..nah..football today it’s all about money…
— Geoseven George (@GeosevenG) February 27, 2023
rigged and not even cause of messi but how tf does martinez win men’s GK
— 𝒓odney🃏 (@rodneybs__) February 27, 2023
Nobody cares abt that robbery 😭😭
— 𝗠𝗘𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗚𝗨𝗜 ➐ (@merrengui) February 27, 2023
Barca and Argentina💀❤️
— Suban Sarki (@subansarki00) February 27, 2023
Emiliano Martinez doesn’t deserve it
— Shkamb Avdullahu (@ShkambAvdullahu) February 27, 2023
Some fans have claimed that Argentina and Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez does not deserve to win the award. Another candidate who has had his name included in the conversation would be Real Madrid’s man Thibaut Courtois. The Belgian keeper played a crucial role in Madrid’s UCL win last year. He made an astonishing 9 saves against Liverpool (the most in a UCL final by a keeper) to help Madrid lift their 14th Champions League trophy.
How many times has Lionel Messi won FIFA The Best award?
FIFA first introduced the award in 2016, when Messi was a Barcelona player. His rival, Cristiano Ronaldo brought home the award after a sensational year for Real Madrid, helping them win the UCL after beating Atletico Madrid in the final. It was Ronaldo’s year after that as well, as he became the first player to win the award twice. In 2017, Ronaldo helped Madrid win the UCL and La Liga. That year remains one of his best periods until now.
Surprisingly, the Argentinian has only won the award once in 2019. He beat Ronaldo and Virgin van Dijk to win the honor back then. Messi managed to help the Catalans win the league that year, but failed in the Champions League and fell to van Dijk’s Liverpool.
🏆 #TheBest FIFA Men’s Player 2019
🥇 #LeoMessi
🥈 #VirgilVanDijk
🥉 #CristianoRonaldo #TheBest | #FIFAFootballAwards pic.twitter.com/cObUfjeDYG— FIFA (@FIFAcom) September 23, 2019
The award is decided by votes received from media representatives, national team coaches, and captains. Messi received 46 points and emerged victorious against Ronaldo and van Dijk’s 36 and 38 points respectively. Lionel Messi will receive the award once again after a 4-year wait, and for a second time in his career as well.