There isn’t a season where Lionel Messi hasn’t ridden the crest of a wave. Fresh off the success of winning the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the Argentine maestro cemented his position in soccer history by winning his 8th Ballon d’Or. Even now, accolades continue to cascade upon the Inter Miami star, as Messi is the leading contender to win FIFA The Best Award over Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe. 

FIFA The Best Awards 2023 will be hosted in London tonight,  Monday, January 15th, at 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time. But just hours before the much-anticipated gala, a startling report comes from the latest magazine installment of Diario SPORT, which claims that the winners of the 2023 Ballon d’Or in both men’s and women’s categories are now touted to win FIFA The Best Award. This means Inter Miami star Lionel Messi and FC Barcelona Feminine forward Aitana Bonmatí will again be called on the stage to do lift the trophies. 

Just months ago, the prestigious Ballon d’Or award divided the soccer fraternity. While many cheered for Messi’s record 8th win, another school of thought insisted that the Golden Ball was rather stolen from Erling Haaland. The Norwegian superstar had a remarkable domestic season, winning a treble with Manchester City and scoring over 50 goals. Kylian Mbappe, who finished third, also won domestic titles with PSG and single-handedly guided his nation to the World Cup final. 

As for the women’s category, Linda Caicedo and Jenni Hermoso will make the podium finish, with Ballon d’Or feminine runners-up Sam Kerr and Salma Paralluelo missing The Best nominations. Either way, it must be darling news for Messi and his fan base. However, it is also going to bring discontent to many. 

Lionel Messi winning FIFA The Best will ruffle many feathers

After FIFA announced the final nominations for The Best Award, not all took it well. Months ago, ESPN analyst Steve Nicol blasted FIFA over the inclusion of Messi. He even said, “All the questions of what people think of this award when this happens, tells you it’s nonsense.” Likewise, another journalist, Jose Luis Sanchez, boldly asserted that the 36-year-old ‘should not even be nominated.’ 

READ MORE: “Even Better Than Lionel Messi” – After Kevin De Bruyne Buried Newcastle United, Frank Leboeuf Praises Manchester City Star’s Vision

Notably, this year FIFA is considering a player’s contributions from December 19, 2022, to December 14, 2023. Given that Messi secured the World Cup victory on December 18, 2022, there is uncertainty about whether this title provides him with any advantage over his competitors. Either way, tonight the soccer fraternity will have the answer to all their questions. 

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