“Messi has won in the opinion of his colleagues”, the Argentine unanimity that Lionel awakens even when Haaland was better in numbers

When the birth of a new era was expected, the name of Lionel Messi reappeared to leave the entire football world speechless. The Argentine was chosen as the winner of The Best Awards despite the fact that in the season that includes this award he has not stood out more than the other two finalists.

And the night was completely controversial in London, since none of the three nominees were present. Neither Leo Messi, nor Erling Haaland -who lives in Manchester-, nor Kylian Mbappé. “He is training,” Haaland’s father managed to say upon his arrival about his son. But Manchester is an hour and a half by train from London, so the presence of the scorer was the one that was missed the most. Seeing the results, his decision is understood.

The concrete thing is that Messi won The Best award again and with three crowns he is the top winner of this distinction made by FIFA, above Cristiano Ronaldo and Robert Lewandowski, with two each. Luka Modric has one.

—The vote—

In titles, it was Haaland who won everything. This The Best award covers from December 19, 2022 – post-final of the World Cup – until August 20, 2023, start of the current season. The Norwegian won the Premier League and the Champions League with City, being a top scorer in both tournaments. In addition, he won the League Cup and the European Super Cup.

On Messi’s side, only Ligue 1 was seen in his farewell to PSG and the Leagues Cup, which curiously he won with Inter Miami on August 20, the day that culminated in the ‘evaluation’ period, in addition to his high level with Argentina.

Thus, the vote was tied between Leo and Erling, but finally the prize went to the Argentine because the regulations dictate that the winner is whoever was chosen as 1st most times by the captains. And there Messi received 107 votes compared to the 64 who favored Haaland.

“It was not a brilliant 2023, but what ends up weighing is that he won in the opinion of his colleagues. The footballer has a more important analysis and Messi throughout his career has done nothing but collect praise from his teammates and rivals,” tells us Argentine journalist Ariel Senosiain, author of the book “Messi, the complete genius.”

And if it was a tribute to his career, “I don’t see it as bad,” says Claudio Gugnali, Alejandro Sabella’s former assistant in the Argentine team, who had Messi on that team that reached the final of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. “I was surprised a little, but I think it was out of respect for everything done knowing that it could be the last. Haaland is at his peak. The choice was more sentimental and I don’t see it as bad,” explains the Argentine.

And stars like Luka Modric, Salah, Kane, Van Dijk, Lewandowski, Fede Valverde and Kylian Mbappé himself voted for Leo. Even the Peruvian captain Paolo Guerrero chose the Argentine 10.

“I think Haaland or Rodri could have won it.” [ganadores de la Champions]. I think he didn’t have that much merit in Mbappé. I thought it was not going to be Messi’s year, but football belongs to the footballers, not to the press or the leaders. Not even the coaches. So, it makes sense,” says Ariel Senosiain.

“He won because they voted for him. Let’s remember that his colleagues vote,” Argentine journalist Verónica Brunati briefly tells us, who is one of the Argentine journalists who has interviewed Leo the most times.

Thus, for FIFA there is no discussion, and where captains rule… it was his teammates who decided on a new achievement for Leo. Latest? In a Copa América year and with the level of the Albiceleste, no vote is closed.

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