The PSG star was named the best player in the world on Monday night, but not everyone agreed with the decision.
Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa did not agree with Jose Peseiro’s choice for the FIFA Best player award after they both voted for different players.
Lionel Messi was declared the winner in a glamorous ceremony that took place in France’s capital, Paris.
Musa is team Messi but Peseiro is for Benzema
Messi won his second FIFA Best Men’s player prize on Monday night, beating his PSG teammate Kylian Mbappe and Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema to the award.
The Argentina captain garnered 52 points following votes from national team captains, coaches, fans and the media.
Mbappe was second with 42 points, while Benzema finished third in the final standings with 34 points.
Musa was one of the many captains who voted for Messi as number one, with Benzema and Mbappe in second and third, respectively.
However, Peseiro did not agree with Musa’s choice, as he voted for Benzema, Messi and Kevin De Bruyne in that order.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s media representative in the voting process voted for Messi ahead of Mbappe in second place and Benzema.
Messi’s award is his second FIFA Best Men’s player prize after winning it in 2019 ahead of Liverpool’s Virgil Van Dijk.
The two awards are in addition to the seven Ballon d’Ors he currently has, with a potential eighth prize on the way.
Messi's incredible year
Messi has had an incredible last few months, leading Argentina to their third World title at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar last year.
The 35-year-old was Argentina’s talisman in the competition, scoring seven goals, including two against France in the final.
His performance earned him the golden ball prize in the competition, and he also finished as the second-highest goalscorer.
Messi is also having an incredible year with PSG, scoring 17 goals and creating another 16 in 28 games this season.
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