Following his World Cup victory, Lionel Messi has amassed several accolades, including the Ballon d'Or, sparking criticism over the perceived fairness of these awards.
In a recent development, Messi secured the Best FIFA Award for 2023, triumphing over standout performers like Haaland and Mbappe, both of whom had impressive seasons. However, former Ballon d'Or winner Lothar Matthäus expressed discontent with Messi's win, arguing on Sky Deutschland that Messi didn't merit the accolade. Matthäus emphasized that Manchester City's Erling Haaland, who had a remarkable season and secured major titles, should have been the rightful recipient of the prestigious FIFA award.
Matthäus asserted, "He can't be the winner this time. I think he was the best footballer of the last 20 years, but he has been in Paris and Miami, where he is now creating hype, and not won any major titles.
Highlighting Haaland's accomplishments, Matthäus pointed to Manchester City's successes, emphasizing that Haaland's impressive strike rate and contribution to essential victories should have been decisive in determining the best and most important player. According to Matthäus, Haaland's achievements with Man City make him the rightful contender for the prestigious FIFA Best Award.