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The voting breakdown for the FIFA Best Men's Player award has been revealed, showcasing how Nigeria's representatives - captain Ahmed Musa and coach Jose Peseiro - opted for other choices while snubbing eventual winner Lionel Messi. Voting included national team captains, coaches, fans, and one media representative per country.
Lionel Messi won a third FIFA Best Men’s Player of the Year, pipping Erling Haaland to the award. The period considered for the award was from December 19, 2022, to August 20, 2023, notably excluding performances from the 2022 World Cup, which Messi had won with Argentina. Nigeria’s representatives in the voting process included Ahmed Musa, Jose Peseiro, and renowned journalist Oluwashina Okeleji of the BBC.
Musa and Peseiro snub Messi for Osimhen
Captain Musa showed full support for his teammate and reigning African Player of the Year, Victor Osimhen. The Sivasspor forward’s top three included Osimhen in first place, Messi in second place, and Haaland in third.
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Super Eagles coach Peseiro also placed the Napoli striker in first place, his country-man, Bernando Silva, in second, and Haaland in third, completely ignoring the eventual winner, Messi.
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Meanwhile, Nigeria’s media representative, Okeleji of the BBC, placed Osimhen in third, while Haaland and Mbappe were first and second, respectively, as he also completely ignored Messi in his top three.
Tie-break decides winner
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As revealed by FIFA, Messi and Haaland tied for first place, necessitating a tie-breaker based on "five-point" scores from national team captains (per Article 12 of the voting rules). Messi emerged victorious with 107 "five-point" votes to Haaland's 67.
The three top players nominated received five points, three points, or one point, respectively, depending on where each eligible voter placed them. If placed first by a voter, that will be five points; second is three points; and third is one point.
After collation of all votes, Messi received 107 “five-point’’ scores, while Haaland got 67 “five-point” scores.
As reported by Pulse Sports, Messi was not present at the ceremony to pick up his award, but Thierry Henry received the award on his behalf.
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