Messi equally beat Manchester City striker, Haaland to the Ballon d’Or prize last year
By Kehinde Okeowo
Inter Miami superstar, Lionel Messi won the FIFA Men’s Player Of The Year Award on Monday night ahead of Manchester City striker, Erling Haaland.
Messi was not present in London where the event was held to collect his award, but his former Barcelona team-mate Thierry Henry, who hosted the show, collected the gong on the Argentine’s behalf.
The winner of the prestigious prize is picked after votes have been casted by representatives from the media, national team coaches, national team captains and fans.
However, despite the fact that the two players garnered the same number of votes, the 36-year-old emerged the winner of this year’s edition .
Messi and Haaland both garnered 48 points each, but the former was announced as winner, because he got more votes from national team captains than the Norwegian striker.
ALSO READ: Peseiro keeps mum on bonuses, salary, focuses on winning start at AFCON
Although Haaland got more votes from national team coaches and media, it was Messi who received more votes from captains and fans.
After the result made the rounds on social media, it generated heated arguments among netizens who made cases for their favourites.
While supporters of Haaland, argued that the exercise should have been repeated, Messi’s fans hailed FIFA for following laid down rules.
According to FIFA’s rules, the tie-breaker for each award depends on the category and in this instance, it was the team captains.
Meanwhile, the award was not the only recognition of Messi’s efforts on the night.
The Argentina international was also named in the FIFA FIFPRO Men’s World XI, alongside his fellow nominees in Haaland and Mbappe, as well as a plethora of City players such as John Stones, Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias, Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva.
Last year, Messi also beat Haaland to the Ballon d’Or prize.