On social networks, fans expressed their discomfort, frustration and criticism when they learned that Lionel Messi won FIFA The Best 2023 even though he did not have an impressive performance like the second place finisher, Erling Haaland (Man City).
Man City fans in particular and a large number of others in general shared their anger after Erling Haaland was not awarded the FIFA Male Player of the Year award. Once again, Argentine superstar Messi defeated his two juniors, Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe, to reach the podium, previously at the 2023 Golden Ball.
Many people probably do not agree with the final result because at least in terms of achievements in 2023, Messi has a relatively limited contribution if compared with the two candidates mentioned above.
According to the law, FIFA The Best results depend entirely on votes from fans, journalists, national team captains and coaches. Of which, each side will account for 25%. According to the latest statistics from FIFA, Messi and Haaland have the same 48 total voting points, while Mbappe only has 35 points.
In case 2 candidates have equal points, a secondary criterion will be considered to see who is chosen by more parties as first place to win, and the votes from the team captains will decide the winner. In this criterion, Lionel Messi has an advantage when voted first by 107 captains. Meanwhile, Erling Haaland has only 64.
The rules are like that, but for fans, they cannot be satisfied when they see such a big difference because in the period from December 19, 2022 to August 20, 2023, Haaland is superior to Messi and Mbappe.
In addition to collective titles such as the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and UEFA Super Cup, Haaland also won a series of individual awards, including noble awards such as the Premier League Golden Boot and Outstanding Player. of the Premier League season and Best Young Player of the Premier League season.
Some international football fans quickly expressed anger about Haaland not winning this award on Twitter.
Lionel Messi? So Erling Haaland was robbed of FIFA The Best?
Really confusing
I don’t think I will like Messi anymore
I don’t find it strange that Messi was awarded because people like it
Extreme injustice for Haaland
Since its inception in 2016, only four different players have been named FIFA Men’s Player of the Year, including Cristiano Ronaldo (twice), Luka Modric (once), Messi (three times) and Robert Lewandowski (twice).