16 January 2024 , 11:25
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Inter Miami and Argentina star Lionel Messi managed to beat Erling Haaland to the title of FIFA's The Best Men’s Player of 2023 - despite the pair finishing level in the voting.
The reigning World Cup winner secured the award during the latest ceremony held in London on Monday. It was the third time he has managed to bag the trophy - but it was a slight surprise this time around.
He was expected to be given decent competition by Manchester City forward Haaland - who fired the Premier League side to a historic treble last season before continuing his stunning goalscoring exploits this term. In fact, the pair actually finished level on voting points.
Each of Messi and Haaland were awarded 48 points - only for the former to run out victorious due to the amount of votes he received from national team captains. The likes of Harry Kane, Mohamed Salah and Kylian Mbappe - who all captain their respective national teams - voted for Messi.
Messi's own vote, as Argentina's captain, went to Haaland - but the Norwegian's international skipper did not return the favour. Martin Odegaard, who captains Arsenal and his country, also voted for Haaland instead of Messi.
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Elsewhere, PSG and France star Mbappe finished third in the voting with 35 points, while Manchester City stars Kevin De Buyne, Rodri, Julian Alvarez and Bernardo Silva all featured in the top ten. Other names to receive votes were Victor Osimhen, Ilkay Gundogan, Kvicha Kvaratskhelia and Marcelo Brozovic.
Erling Haaland was just edged in the vote by Messi (Getty Images)Did Messi deserve to be named the FIFA Best Men's player? Share your thoughts in the comments below
Arsenal and England star Declan Rice rounded off the top ten as he received a solitary vote - that coming from Cambridge forward and Montserrat skipper Lyle Taylor. The captain vote only accounted for a quarter of the overall vote.
Coaches, journalists and supporters also had a say. Haaland got the most points from coaches and journalists, while captains and fans ranked Messi the highest.
The Argentine forward was actually not in attendance for Monday’s ceremony with Thierry Henry instead accepting the award on his behalf. The Frenchman ensured to have a cheeky jibe at his co-presenter Reshmin Chowdhury as he claimed the trophy.
He said: "Unfortunately the winner is not here, so someone is going to have to take the trophy. I will take it. I mean I came. I actually have two reasons for taking it. I never won it, so I'll keep it.
"And you are a Tottenham fan right? You usually don't get your hands on a trophy, so I'll take this one. Thank you very much."