By: Nana Kwame Bediako
Eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi narrowly defeated Earling Haaland to win the FIFA Best Player Award on Monday, January 15, 2024. Messi and Haaland were equal on votes with 48 points, as they both gained first place.
Messi was eventually given the award at the end because he emerged victorious in the national team captains’ vote with 107 points to Haaland’s 64 points. This procedure was used due to the law in FIFA (Law No. 12).
Since the 2022 season, Messi has had a very remarkable year, breaking records and making history with both club and country. Messi played an important part in Argentina’s triumph in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. His goals and assists propelled his country to victory against France in the final.
Messi’s form with his former club, PSG, was good, although he had his own problems with the team. He managed to put up some decent performances, as he topped the assist tally in the French league and also won the French league with PSG. His time at PSG came to a close as he joined MLS-based side Inter Miami. Messi has already won a trophy with Miami in his short spell with the club.
The FIFA Best Award climaxes all the good moments Messi shared on the pitch for both his country and his fans across the world.
