Real Madrid defender David Alaba has issued a statement explaining why he voted for Lionel Messi ahead of his teammate Karim Benzema at the FIFA The Best award in the wake of abuse he has received from a section of Los Blancos’ fans.
Lionel Messi won the FIFA best men’s player award as he finished ahead of Kylian Mbappe and Karim Benzema, who came second and third respectively.
The winner was decided based on the votes cast by coaches, captains, and journalists from every nation. As the captain of the Austria national football team, David Alaba also had voting rights.
David Alaba picked Lionel Messi as his first choice, while his second vote went to Karim Benzema and his third vote went to Kylian Mbappe.
Why did David Alaba vote for Lionel Messi ahead of Karim Benzema for FIFA The Best Award?
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David Alaba voting for Lionel Messi ahead of Karim Benzema did not go down well with a section of the Real Madrid fanbase. He was abused on social media as a result, to the extent that he has now issued a statement clarifying why he voted for the eventual winner ahead of his club teammate.
David Alaba explained his vote for FIFA The Best in the capacity of the Austria national football team captain was decided by the team. The Real Madrid defender revealed that everyone in the Austrian team council were able to vote and that was how his vote was decided.
“Regarding FIFA The Best Award: The Austrian national team voted for this award as a team, not me alone. Everyone in the team council is able to vote and that’s how it’s decided,” David Alaba wrote on Twitter.
“Everyone knows, especially Karim, how much I admire him and his performances and I have often said that for me he is the best striker in the world, and that is still the case. Without a doubt.”
Meanwhile, Argentina national football team manager Lionel Scaloni defeated Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti in the voting for the FIFA award for the best manager.
Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, meanwhile, came second in the voting for the FIFA award for the best goalkeeper. The award was won by Emiliano Martinez, who was part of the Argentina national football team that won the FIFA World Cup 2022 title.
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