Messi’s nomination for 2024 FIFA Player Award raises eyebrows
By Biwah Bryan
The announcement of the 2024 FIFA Men’s Player award nominees has ignited a fierce debate on social media, with many questioning the inclusion of Lionel Messi alongside other top contenders.
This has led to comments like “What exactly did Messi do to make this list?” “What is Messi doing there?” “This can’t be possible. Does the World Cup count every year?”
Messi, who bagged the award last year, finds himself in a lineup of football’s elite, including Vinicius Junior, Erling Haaland, Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe, and Lamine Yamal. However, the omission of notable stars such as Lautaro Martinez, Mohamed Salah, and Harry Kane has raised eyebrows and sparked debate among fans.
The complete list of nominees includes:
Dani Carvajal
Erling Haaland
Federico Valverde
Florian Wirtz
Jude Bellingham
Kylian Mbappe
Lamine Yamal
Lionel Messi
Rodri
Toni Kroos
Vinicius
Does Lionel Messi Merit the Nomination?
After a turbulent stint at PSG, Messi’s transition to Inter Miami has seen him dazzle on the pitch, netting 21 goals in just 22 appearances this season. However, the crux of the debate remains: can these numbers offset the perceived lack of competitive challenge in MLS compared to the likes of La Liga or the Premier League?
The omission of Cristiano Ronaldo from the Best Men’s Player nomination has added fuel to the controversy. Ronaldo has had a stellar season with Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, netting 13 goals in 18 games and impressing in international matches for Portugal, where he scored 7 goals and provided 2 assists. Notably, his international tally surpasses that of Messi, who scored 5 goals and registered 6 assists for Argentina.
Many argue that if Messi’s accomplishments in the MLS are worthy of a nomination, then Ronaldo’s performance in the Saudi league deserves equal consideration. Yet, surprisingly, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner has been relegated to the FIFA Best Striker Award nomination, prompting questions about the consistency and fairness of FIFA’s selection process.
Should Messi clinch the award, it would mark his eighth victory, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest ever.
