Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has rejected the notion that Lionel Messi’s FIFA The Best Men’s Player award win was undeserved. He expressed that while seeing Erling Haaland or Kylian Mbappe claim the honor would have been acceptable, questioning Messi’s worthiness seemed peculiar.
In an interview with MARCA, Scaloni emphasized that the debate surrounding the award transcends football and is unwarranted. He criticized those who questioned Messi’s win, stating:
“I believe the discussion extends beyond football. There shouldn’t be a debate among footballers or coaches regarding why he won it. If Haaland or Mbappe had received it, it would have been acceptable as well. It’s just media speculation. It’s odd to question why Messi won when it’s football professionals who vote.”
Lionel Messi clinched the Ligue 1 title with PSG and the Leagues Cup with Inter Miami in 2023. The eligibility period for the award commenced the day after the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which Argentina won.
Criticism from Cristiano Ronaldo and Lothar Matthäus on Lionel Messi’s accolades Cristiano Ronaldo voiced his views on the award earlier this month, suggesting that individual honors were losing credibility. At the Globe Soccer Awards, he remarked:
“It’s not about saying Messi didn’t deserve it, or Haaland or even Mbappe… but the statistics speak for themselves. You have to assess the entire season. Statistics are facts. If you look back at my time at Manchester United and with the national team, people considered me finished… But I focused and had a remarkable period at Al Nassr, scoring 54 goals.”
Similarly, Lothar Matthäus shared Ronaldo’s sentiment, questioning Messi’s eligibility for the award due to a lack of significant achievements. He commented (via GOAL):
“He shouldn’t have won this time. While he’s been one of the best players over the past two decades, his time in Paris and Miami, where he’s currently generating attention, hasn’t resulted in major victories.” Matthäus argued that Erling Haaland deserved the honor more due to his exceptional performance throughout the year:
“When you consider the notable achievements, Manchester City’s success and, in terms of selecting the best player, Erling Haaland. He secured the most significant titles with Manchester City, boasting an impressive goal-scoring record.
This should be the determining factor in choosing the best and most influential player, and Haaland epitomizes that.” Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe trailed Lionel Messi in the Ballon d’Or race last year as well.
