 "Lionel Messi's inclusion in FIFA's The Best award has created controversy. Reuters")
Argentina superstar Lionel Messi’s nomination for FIFA’s The Best award has created controversy and has divided the football fraternity. A section of Messi’s fans have expressed happiness on the former FC Barcelona star’s decision, whereas some others have criticised the decision, especially with Messi having endured an underwhelming Major League Soccer (MLS) season with Inter Miami.
Having said that, Inter Miami were in fact eliminated from the MLS Cup playoffs in the first round following a defeat to Atlanta United. In April, Inter Miami had lost in the CONCACAF Champions League quarter-finals against Mexican side Monterrey.
“That is crazy, love Messi but this season he really has no business there,” a fan said on microblogging site “X”.
“This can’t be possible,” another fan added.
“This is the league Messi plays in and he got nominated for the Best player in the World,” another fan wrote.
Messi had won the 2023 FIFA The Best award and apart from Messi, other notable names that include in the FIFA The Best shortlist are Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, Erling Haaland, Harry Kane and Rodri. While Messi is plying trade in the MLS with Inter Miami, these said players are playing for top clubs across Europe.
And although Messi has scored 21 goals in 22 matches for Inter Miami this season, but critics have questioned the competitiveness of the MLS when compared to Europe’s top leagues like the Premier League or LaLiga. Erling Haaland, on the other hand, has scored 17 goals in as many matches for Manchester City this season, and even played an influential role during City’s treble-winning season in 2022-23.
Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo, however, does not feature in FIFA’s The Best award shortlist. This is despite having scored 13 goals in 18 matches for Al-Nassr this season and even scored seven goals and assisted twice for Portugal this year.
Messi, on the other hand, has scored five goals and assisted six times for Argentina this year. Vinicius Junior has been equally influential for Real Madrid, playing a pivotal role in guiding the Los Blancos to the UEFA Champions League and La Liga last season. Rodri is a Euro Cup winner with Spain and helped City defend the Premier League title. Messi did win the Copa America with Argentina this year.
Neither Messi, nor Ronaldo, however, were part of the 2024 Ballon d’Or shortlist, with the award eventually being won by Spain and Manchester City midfielder Rodri. This marked the first time in two decades when neither Messi nor Ronaldo featured in the Ballon d’Or shortlist.