Real Madrid opted against the presence at the FIFA Best Award held in Paris as Lionel Messi claimed the award after his scintillating performance throughout the year for the club and countries.
Thibaut Courtois, Luka Modric, and Karim Benzema were named among the FIFPRO XI but that was not enough for the management or players to join the show as the only Real Madrid member who traveled to Paris is the club’s director of institutional relations, Emilio Butragueno.
The FIFPRO Men's World XI 🌟 pic.twitter.com/qr2KNG8ipQ
— B/R Football (@brfootball) February 27, 2023
Lionel Messi was not included in the Ballon d’Or 2022 final 30-player list, but the Argentine came up with something extraordinary to win the FIFA Best Award which is determined via a performance from January to December rather than a season.
Messi has been in outstanding form for his club PSG and for his National team Argentina as the little magician was named the best player of the FIFA World Cup 2022 and claimed the Golden ball for the second time in his career.
The snub to the Ballon d’Or shortlist certainly added fuel to the fire in Messi’s belly and he replied to the insult with a thumping authority over the most prestigious trophy and now claimed the FIFA best award in the footballing world.
August 2022: Not included in 30-man Ballon d'Or shortlist
December 2022: Wins 2022 World Cup
February 2023: Wins #thebest FIFA Men's Player AwardLionel Messi took his Ballon d'Or snub personally. 😤 pic.twitter.com/IUDwY3fk22
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) February 27, 2023
Although Karim Benzema and Kylian Mbappe were nominated among the three finalists, it was always crying for Messi’s claim after the Argentine scored 37 goals and assisted 30 times for PSG and La Albiceleste in 55 appearances which is a scary number.
Real Madrid’s omission from the function certainly raised eyebrows for a few people as it was assumed that the authorities opted against it due to the possibility of Messi picking up the award which eventually came true.
Leo Messi wins his 𝟕𝟕𝐭𝐡 individual award 😱 pic.twitter.com/7R27gtWuov
— B/R Football (@brfootball) February 27, 2023
It was Lionel Messi’s second time winning the honor after previously claiming the award back in 2019 and the way he performed and left his mark on big occasions, he certainly deserved it.
