England boss Gareth Southgate didn't include Lionel Messi in his three picks for Best FIFA Men's Player award
Gareth Southgate didn't choose Lionel Messi in his three picks for Best FIFA Men's Player award.
Messi edged it ahead of Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe at Monday's award ceremony in London.
The award traditionally covers a calendar year. However, the 2023 iteration covers December 19, 2022 - August 20, 2023.
That means Messi's World Cup triumph with Argentina was not within the threshold.
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Messi started the year at Paris Saint Germain, scoring nine goals and winning the Ligue 1 title.
He moved to Inter Miami over the summer, scoring 10 goals in seven games en route to claiming the inaugural Leagues Cup.
The 36-year-old finished level on votes with Haaland, who helped Manchester City to Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League glory.
Both players were tied on points so the final decision went to national team captain votes.
All four home nation skippers - Harry Kane (England), Andy Robertson (Scotland), Aaron Ramsey (Wales) and Jonny Evans (Northern Ireland) - voted for Messi.
So who did England gaffer Southgate vote for? Well, he decided to go for a trio of City stars.
Southgate chose Haaland, Rodri and Bernardo Silva after City's treble-winning campaign.
Rodri lifted six trophies this year. In addition to the treble with City, he won the UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup. On the international stage, Rodri claimed the UEFA Nations League with Spain.
Silva has been City's most consistent performer since arriving from Monaco in 2017.
Despite being linked with a move away almost every summer, he sticks around at the Etihad Stadium and puts in top performances.
City boss Pep Guardiola was voted the best men's coach of the year. After being asked if he preferred his City team or his time at Barcelona, Guardiola replied: "I don't know...it would be a good game! We will see who is the manager [in the opposite dugout]. Both are incredible teams.
"That team in Barcelona was incredible, we were so young. But this team in England, in the Premier League, is really tough and competitive for many competitions. These guys, season by season by season, even this season after winning the treble they are still there.
"Just being with them [the players], not winning or losing but just being with them, is the best award I can get as a manager, by far."
Topics: Gareth Southgate, Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland, Bernardo Silva, Rodri, Manchester City
Daniel Marland