It was indeed a night to remember for Lionel Messi on Monday after he won his record seventh FIFA Best Award. The Argentine added the prestigious accolade to his impressive collection of 42 trophies.

The 35-year-old clinched the award from his teammate Kylian Mbappe and former La Liga rival Karim Benzema. Both Frenchmen came in second and third, respectively, behind Messi.

The former Barcelona man also got into the FIFPro XI team for a record-breaking sixteenth time, thus surpassing Cristiano Ronaldo and Sergio Ramos. Messi’s fellow countrymen, Emiliano Martínez and Lionel Scaloni, also won the best goalkeeper and men’s coach awards, respectively. Despite the PSG star’s success, his long-time rival expressed his dissatisfaction at the granting of the award.

Lionel Messi wins the award as Benzema posts cryptic response

While many are celebrating Messi’s emphatic win of the Best award, some are not happy with FIFA’s decision. Many around the world are questioning the apex authority of soccer for giving the award to the PSG star.

And one such noteworthy person who is still not over the results is Real Madrid superstar Karim Benzema. The Frenchman was touted to win the Best Award, but it was the Argentine who was handed the trophy.

Benzema took a dig at FIFA after posting back-to-back cryptic stories on his Instagram. The striker believes he is the true heir to the prestigious award thanks to his amazing club performances.

The No.9 has scored 63 goals and 21 assists since last August until the end of the FIFA nomination. He also won the UEFA Champions League and Super Cup, La Liga, and the Spanish Super Cup.

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El Gato also kickstarted this year by picking up the FIFA Club World Cup against Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal. Benzema also won the 2022 Ballon d’Or and the Nations League with France. Even after being the top scorer in major competitions and winning several accolades, it was Messi, who won the award.

Soccer world supports the Madrid star

Messi’s win has rather sown the seeds for a ceaseless debate among the netizens who are also questioning his win. Many soccer fans around the world are in favor of Benzema, who reckons he should have won the award. Many fans have taken to Twitter and shown their support for the Frenchman.

While many are backing the striker, some are questioning the apex authority of soccer, FIFA over such results.

It’s sad that Benzema didn’t get to win the award, but we cannot undermine FIFA over such a debate. After all, the winners were decided on the basis of voting.

What do you think about Messi winning the FIFA The Best award? What did you make of Benzema’s retorts? Let us know in the comments.

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