Lionel Messi will not win the FIFA Best Player Award despite winning the World Cup with Erling Haaland appearing to be a favorite.
Lionel Messi, who joined Inter Miami, has been nominated for yet another award alongside, Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe.
Despite the Argentine winning the FIFA World Cup 2022, the former PSG attacker might not win the FIFA Best Player award.
FIFA announced that the qualifying dates for The Best Men’s Player begun since December 19th, 2022, the next day after the 2022 FIFA World Cup final.
As a result of this, the World Cup victory by Lionel Messi will have no bearing on his prospects of winning the coveted award.
FIFA on their Website stated that: “The 12 contenders have been nominated based on their achievements from 19 December 2022 to 20 August 2023, with each of the nominees recognised for their sustained excellence over that period.”
Lionel Messi won the award last season and was selected this period following his strong start in Major League Soccer (MLS).
Before the Argentine joined Inter Miami, the 36-year-old scored 16 Ligue 1 goals and assisted on 16 others in his final season in Paris.
The former Barcelona and PSG attacker is only the third player in men’s international football history to reach a century of goals.
He charged Argentina to win the FIFA World Cup last year despite not having an awesome time out at French Ligue 1 side, PSG.
Lionel Messi, on the other hand, is not the favorite to win the prestigious prize this year with Erling Haaland edging as favorite.
Erling Haaland enjoyed a massive debut season at Manchester City, helping the club win a historic treble: FA Cup, Champions League and Premier League titles.
Aside trophies, the Norwegian international scored six Premier League hat-tricks and also scored 52 goals in 53 games for Manchester City during his treble-winning season.
Alongside Lionel Messi, the nominees for FIFA The Best Player are:
- Julian Alvarez
- Marcelo Brozovic
- Kevin De Bruyne
- Ilkay Gundogan
- Erling Haaland
- Rodri
- Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
- Kylian Mbappe
- Lionel Messi
- Victor Osimhen
- Declan Rice
- Bernardo Silva
Recall we reported that Haaland revealed that he has a chance to win the 2023 Ballon d’Or award ahead of World Cup champion Lionel Messi.
Haaland, 23, signed for the Etihad outfit last season after City paid £51.2 million release clause to Borussia Dortmund to land him.
The Norwegian enjoyed an outstanding first season in the Premier League, scoring an incredible 52 goals in 53 matches in all competitions for the Cityzens.
The former Dortmund man did not just achieve individual feat, he also helped Manchester City win a historic Treble – the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League.
UEFA handed out its annual individual prize to celebrate achievements from the 2022/23 season, following the conclusion of the 23/24 men’s Champions League group stage draw.
Lionel Messi was again on the list for the men’s award, aiming to pull level with long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo by clinching the award for the third time.
However, Erling Haaland beat Messi and Kevin De Bruyne to the 2023 UEFA Award best player award.
