During the FIFA The Best 2023 awards ceremony that took place last night, striker Lionel Messi was named for the FIFA Best Male Player 2023 award. This is the third time the Argentine player has won this award. However, Messi receiving the award caused much controversy.

The 36-year-old player himself was not present at last night’s awards ceremony and former player Thierry Henry received the award instead. Many people think that this year’s title more deserves to go to Erling Haaland, who has the same score as Messi but lost the award because he was voted less by the national team captains. The Norwegian player had a brilliant year with Man City with a historic treble.

Meanwhile, Messi only has two championships: Ligue 1 and Leagues Cup. The World Cup title is not counted because The Best award considers achievements from December 19, 2022 to August 20, 2023. On social networks, fans debated fiercely about this year’s awards ceremony.

Messi has the same score as Haaland, but is ranked higher because he was elected by more captains

Fan Tuan Ha analyzed: “QBV 2023 is considered to be considered WC because it takes place in November, but FiFa the best 2023 is from December 19, 1 day after the WC final, I don’t understand why Messi was named? Achievements WC 2022, it’s clear that FF the best 22 has honored the achievements of Argentine coaches and players. I don’t understand why this year many captains are still elected based on emotions, of course Halland will never be as good as Messi, but it’s clear that Halland has the most outstanding individual achievements with a team, the top 3 should not include Mbappe, Rordi, Kevin, Halland, Silva are the ones who really deserve to be in the top 3, clearly The Best is the honor. The best player of the year, not the most popular player.”

Another fan harshly said: “This is truly a farce from FIFA.” A third person wrote: “The afterglow of the World Cup is so terrible that people are confused about the timing of individual awards.”

Another person sarcastically said: “Score 3 goals in 2024 + win FIFA The Best, then receive the Ballon d’Or again.”

Messi caused controversy when he won the FIFA The Best award for the third time

Forbes also called the recent individual award a “controversial” victory for Messi. The newspaper wrote: “A controversial victory for Messi. While everyone expected to see Erling Haaland win after a successful year with Manchester City, the Norwegian player once again finished behind Lionel Messi”.

Before being honored this year, Messi won FIFA The Best in 2019 and 2022. At the age of 36, Messi is still showing his greatness by conquering individual and collective awards.

The remaining awards are at FIFA The Best

* Best male coach: Pep Guardiola (Manchester City).

* Best female coach: Sarina Wiegman (England wоmen‘s team).

* Best male goalkeeper: Ederson (Manchester City)

* Best female goalkeeper: Mary Earps (England wоmen‘s team)

* FIFA Puskas Award: Guilherme Madruga (Botafogo-SP)