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After being missed for the Ballon d’Or, Actual Madrid’s Vinicius Junior obtained a nod within the FIFA The Greatest awards, recognizing his distinctive performances through the 2023-24 season. Nonetheless, one of the vital notable votes within the choice got here from Lionel Messi, who selected a special participant over Actual Madrid stars Vinicius and Kylian Mbappe.
Not like the Ballon d’Or, which is set by a panel of journalists, FIFA’s The Greatest awards contain votes from males’s nationwide staff coaches, captains, soccer journalists, and followers through FIFA’s official web site. Voters choose their prime three selections, with the primary decide incomes 5 factors, second receiving 3, and third getting 1.
As Argentina’s nationwide staff captain, Messi had his say within the vote. His best choice for the 2024 award was 17-year-old Lamine Yamal, the breakout star from FC Barcelona. Messi positioned his former PSG teammate Mbappe in second with 3 factors, whereas Vinicius Junior got here third, incomes simply 1 level from the legendary ahead.
Messi has lengthy praised Yamal, who not too long ago gained the 2024 Golden Boy award and has rapidly grow to be one among Europe’s brightest younger abilities. Yamal performed an important position in Spain’s EURO 2024 triumph, delivering a standout efficiency within the closing towards England to safe their first worldwide trophy in 12 years.
Regardless of being Messi’s best choice for The Greatest award, Yamal might solely end in fifth place within the voting. With 30 factors, the Barcelona prodigy trailed simply 1 level behind Dani Carvajal (31), and seven factors under the eventual winner, Vinicius Junior (48). In between them have been Jude Bellingham (37) and Rodri (43).
What number of FIFA The Greatest awards does Messi have?
FIFA launched The Greatest award in 2016, after parting methods with France Soccer‘s Ballon d’Or. The brand new system shifted the main target to votes from soccer professionals, fairly than journalists. Since then, Lionel Messi has claimed the distinguished award thrice.
Messi’s first win got here in 2019, when he was honored after main Barcelona to a La Liga title, reaching the Champions League semifinals, and ending as Copa del Rey finalists. He narrowly beat out Cristiano Ronaldo and Virgil van Dijk for the glory.
The second award got here within the 2022 version, though the ceremony was held in February 2023 following Argentina’s World Cup triumph, the place Messi was a standout performer.
Messi’s third win got here within the 2023 version of The Greatest, imposing himself towards Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland. Regardless of the Manchester Metropolis participant gained the Champions League, Messi was nonetheless in a position to declare the award.
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