Fans on social media were left surprised by Lionel Messi ranking sixth in the 2024 FIFA The Best Men’s Player of the Year list. The Argentine legend has previously won the award thrice – in 2019, 2022 and 2023.
Lionel Messi has been exceptional for Inter Miami this year, leading them to the 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield. The legendary forward contributed 23 goals and 13 assists in 25 outings for the Herons across competitions. Moreover, Messi also won his second consecutive Copa America title with Argentina this summer. However, he missed 10 games for club and country in two months owing to an ankle injury.
Despite not playing in Europe, Lionel Messi finished sixth in the FIFA The Best Men’s Players of the Year list with 25 points. The FIFA-organized awards are determined by an equally weighted voting system featuring votes from captains, coaches, fans, and media personnel.
Fans took to X to react to Messi’s ranking in the list with many questioning the Argentine’s position. One X user wrote:
“Messi in 6th is genuinely astonishing. They’re voting him simply because he’s Messi. Nothing else.”
“Why is messi even there,” another user asked.
“Wtf messi doing there..That too above Kroos,” a netizen opined.
“Messi being 6th is the most surprising here lmao. Guy was injured so many times this season and had an average Copa America. He is still so high due to nostalgia…,” an X user remarked.
Fans continued to question Messi’s high ranking:
“Messi 6th???? Ohh fear god,” a fan exclaimed.
“How did Messi finish 6th,” another fan commented.
“With 23 goals in USA and 5 goals vs Venezuela, Peru and Canada Messi is ahead of some of the best players in Europe playing in best quality just wow! If outside Europe stats suddenly matter then why Ronaldo isn’t there who had 57 goals and 16 assists last season,” a netizen chimed in.
Who did Lionel Messi vote for in the 2024 FIFA The Best Men’s Player of the Year award?
According to FIFA’s official document releasing every participating individual’s votes, Lionel Messi ranked Lamine Yamal in the first position for FIFA’s The Best Men’s Player of the Year award. The Argentina captain ranked Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr. in second and third places, respectively.
Vinicius Jr. eventually won the award with 48 points. Messi’s first pick, Lamine Yamal, came fifth with 30 points while Kylian Mbappe ranked ninth with 14 points. Yamal has been one of the most significant players for Messi’s former club, Barcelona, since his debut in April 2023.
Yamal made his breakthrough in the 2023-24 campaign, playing a key role in Spain’s victory in the 2024 Euros. The Spaniard’s ball control and play style is often compared to Lionel Messi’s, especially as the teenager often plays on the right wing, where Messi excelled in his career.