The 2024 FIFA The Best went to Vinicius Junior due to his great year with Real Madrid. However, the Brazilian star wasn’t Lionel Messi’s first choice in his voting ballot. Not even his former PSG teammate Kylian Mbappe. The Argentine star opted for Barcelona’s wonderkid Lamine Yamal as his top choice.
Messi, who was among the finalists, gave the five points of the first place to Yamal, who won the 2024 Euros with Spain, while also being named the Best Young Player of the Tournament. Yamal was also a key figure for Barcelona these past few months of the start of the season.
The Argentine captain voted for Mbappe in second place, giving him three points. Mbappe scored 52 goals in all competitions for PSG in his final term with PSG, winning Ligue 1 for the sixth time as well as the Coupe de France. He also captained the national team to the semifinals of Euro 2024 before their elimination at the hands of Spain.
Meanwhile, he decided that Vinicius Jr’s year deserved 1 point. The Brazilian star helped Real Madrid win the Champions League, with superb performances in the semifinals and final.
Lamine Yamal of Barcelona was Lionel Messi’s top choice for the FIFA The Best (Imago/PressPhoto)
Unlike the Ballon d’Or, the FIFA Best Awards is decided by the votes of the national team coaches from both men’s and women’s soccer, the current captains of each national team, a specialised journalist from each region, and fans.
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Who did Messi vote for as Coach of the Year?
For Coach of the Year, Messi placed Argentina’s head coach, Lionel Scaloni, in first place. He then voted for his former Barcelona manager and current Manchester City coach, Pep Guardiola, in second, followed by Spain’s Luis de la Fuente in third.
Messi’s out of the Top 3 of the FIFA The Best Awards 2024
After being the winner in 2023, Messi finished in sixth place, trailing behind Vinicius Junior, Rodri, Jude Bellingham, Daniel Carvajal, and Lamine Yamal. Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo was left off the finalist list entirely.
