The prospect of Lionel Messi clinching the 2023 FIFA The Best Men’s Player of the Year award has stirred debate among football enthusiasts. However, a critical question arises: does the Argentine truly merit the nomination?
FIFA, the global football governing body, recently unveiled the final trio of nominees for the prestigious accolade, featuring Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe, and Lionel Messi. While the first two nominations resonate well with most fans, Messi’s inclusion as a top-three contender has sparked controversy.
Messi, the current holder of the FIFA The Best Men’s Player of the Year and the 2023 Ballon d’Or, garnered acclaim for leading Argentina to victory in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Nevertheless, the nomination raises eyebrows due to FIFA’s specific eligibility criteria.
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As per the disclosed criteria for the 2023 FIFA The Best Men’s Player of the Year award, performances between December 19, 2022, and August 20, 2023, are under consideration. This departure from the traditional European season timeframe, or the standard August-to-August evaluation, has become a point of contention.
The controversy stems from the fact that Messi’s pivotal role in Argentina’s World Cup triumph is not factored into his eligibility, as the review period commences after the championship’s conclusion. This renders Messi’s stellar performances in Qatar ineligible for consideration, even though they played a significant role in securing his previous awards.
Analyzing Messi’s performances during the eligible timeframe, it’s evident that he delivered an outstanding second half of the 2022/23 Ligue 1 season, contributing to 14 goals in 19 appearances for Paris Saint-Germain and aiding Inter Miami in securing the Leagues Cup.
However, Messi’s most impactful contributions with PSG occurred in the first half of the season, where he played a role in 17 goals in Ligue 1 and contributed directly to eight goals in the UEFA Champions League group stage. The latter part of the season saw PSG’s disappointing exits in the Champions League and Coupe de France, with Messi unable to propel his team past Bayern Munich and Marseille.
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While Messi’s performances with Inter Miami were noteworthy, they may not carry the same weight in the context of an award like FIFA’s The Best Men’s Player of the Year. This perspective fuels the argument that Messi’s nomination, and potentially a subsequent win, may be questionable given the specific eligibility criteria set by FIFA.