Lionel Messi on Tuesday was crowned the Best FIFA Men’s Player Award 2023. The Argentina captain won the prestigious award for the third time in five years, but did he deserve it? Most probably not.
Calling Lionel Messi as one of the best players ever to grace the football pitch is not an exaggeration by any stretch of imagination. But, the decision to present the Best FIFA Men’s Player Award 2023 was perhaps a bit farfetched.
The innumerable supporters of Messi can argue that the Argentine world champion won his eighth Ballon d’Or in 2023. Lionel Messi no doubt etched his name in the history books as the only footballer to win the award eight times. But, Messi’s 8th came because of his World Cup heroics in December of 2022 when he guided Argentina to glory.
Lionel Messi’s trophies in 2023
Moreover, Messi’s only trophies in 2023 remain Ligue 1 and Trophée des Champions with PSG and Leagues Cup with Inter Miami. Messi’s Inter Miami even failed to qualify for the playoffs of the Major League Soccer. The fact that the award is called Best FIFA Men’s Player Award 2023 is enough proof that it is an award for a footballer that has performed miraculously in 2023. The calendar year 2023 has been good for Messi, but not THAT good.
Even if the achievements of Lionel Messi in 2023 can be seen in great light in the world of football, are they overwhelming enough to warrant a Best FIFA Men’s Player Award 2023? Weren’t there any other footballers that deserved this award more than Messi? Let’s take a look at what some other footballers have achieved during 2023.
Erling Haaland
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland arguably had a better season that Lionel Messi in 2023. Haaland hit the ground running after arriving in Manchester.
The striker scored over 50 goals in his first Premier League season. He helped Manchester City win the treble of UEFA Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup. Moreover, he broke numerous Premier League records in his first season itself. It should also be kept in mind that Haaland won the biggest trophies there is to win in club football in 2023.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Although Cristiano Ronaldo moved to Saudi Arabia after the controversy at Manchester United, The Portuguese still managed to finish as the highest scorer of 2023. Ronaldo scored an astonishing 54 goals for club and country in 2023. Messi, on the other hand, did not even make it to the top 5 of that list.
If the criteria for winning the award was goals scored, Ronaldo should have won the trophy. If the criteria was trophies as well as goal scored, Erling Haaland should have emerged as the clear winner. However, there is no denying Messi’s brilliance, although it won’t be too wrong to say that he has had his luck with individual awards at times.
