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Introduction
The Best FIFA Football Awards are meant to recognize the outstanding performances of football players from around the world. However, the fairness of these awards has been called into question, especially after Lionel Messi was crowned the Best FIFA Men’s Player of the Year, beating out Erling Haaland.
This decision has left many, including former Real Madrid and Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas, questioning the legitimacy of the awards.
In this article, we will look into the controversy surrounding the Best FIFA Football Awards, examining the voting process, and the opinions of players and managers.
The Voting Process
The Best FIFA Football Awards are determined through a voting process involving national team captains, national team coaches, selected media representatives, and fans.
Each group has a specific percentage of the final vote, with the captains and coaches collectively holding the highest weightage.
In the case of the Best FIFA Men’s Player of the Year award, Messi and Haaland received an equal number of votes (48).
However, Messi emerged as the winner due to receiving more first-place nominations from national team captains.
This outcome has raised eyebrows and led to accusations of bias and unfairness.
Messi vs. Haaland: The Battle for the Award
Haaland’s performance in the 2022-2023 season was nothing short of remarkable.
The young Norwegian forward broke the Premier League record for the most goals scored in a single season, netting an impressive 36 goals.
Additionally, he became the fastest player to reach 28 goals in the UEFA Champions League.
Moreover, these achievements made him a strong contender for the Best FIFA Men’s Player of the Year award.
On the other hand, Messi, a legendary figure in the football world, had yet another outstanding season.
Despite leaving Barcelona for Inter Miami, Messi continued to showcase his brilliance on the field.
While he may not have broken any individual records, his consistent performances and impact on the game were undeniable.
Iker Casillas Displeasure
Casillas, a highly respected figure in the football community, expressed his disappointment with the Best FIFA Football Awards.
In a tweet, Casillas wrote, “You create some nice prizes and you are taking them away by not doing things fairly.” ‘The Smile’ more like. Anyway, good night!”
His discontent with the process and outcome of the awards was evident.
Casillas’ comments reflect the frustration felt by many who believe that the awards should be based on merit and fairness, rather than subjective judgments.
Pep Guardiola’s Support for Haaland
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola openly supported Haaland’s bid for the Ballon d’Or before Messi claimed his eighth Ballon d’Or award.
Guardiola stated, “The Ballon d’Or has to be two sections. One for Messi, and after look for the others. So, Haaland should win – yes. We won the treble and he scored 50 million goals.”
Guardiola’s endorsement of Haaland’s exceptional performance highlights the belief that the young Norwegian deserved greater recognition for his achievements.
Messi’s Voting Choices
Interestingly, Messi gave his first-place vote in the Best FIFA Men’s Player of the Year award to Haaland.
This gesture shows Messi’s acknowledgment of Haaland’s extraordinary talent and accomplishments.
Messi’s second-place vote went to his former Paris Saint-Germain teammate Kylian Mbappe, while World Cup winner Julian Alvarez earned his third-place vote.
The Full List of Votes
FIFA has released the full list of votes, shedding light on the preferences of the national team captains, national team coaches, and selected media representatives.
This transparency allows fans and the football community to see the individual choices and preferences of those involved in the voting process.
The release of this information has sparked further discussions and debates about the fairness and objectivity of the awards.
Conclusion
The recent crowning of Lionel Messi as the Best FIFA Men’s Player of the Year has sparked controversy and raised questions about the fairness of the awards.
The equal number of votes received by Messi and Erling Haaland, coupled with Messi’s victory based on first-place nominations, has led to accusations of bias and subjectivity.
Players like Iker Casillas and Pep Guardiola, along with the release of the full voting list, have further fueled the debate about the transparency and objectivity of the awards.
Additionally, football fans and stakeholders, it is essential to strive for a system that rewards excellence and promotes fairness in the recognition of football achievements.
Moreover, the future of football awards lies in finding a balance between individual brilliance and a fair evaluation process.
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