Featured Image Credit: FIFA/Getty
Topics: Fan Reactions, Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland, FIFA, Kylian Mbappe
Chris Byfield
Topics: Fan Reactions, Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland, FIFA, Kylian Mbappe
Erling Haaland’s dad’s reaction to Lionel Messi winning men’s player of the year at the FIFA Best Awards has been spotted.
The Inter Miami star edged out Haaland with Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe in third at an awards ceremony in London on Monday.
The FIFA Best Awards traditionally cover a calendar year and are different to the Ballon d'Or awards, which reflect performances across a season. However, given the Qatar World Cup was included in last year’s ceremony, this year’s award covered a half-season period between 19 December 2022 to 20 August 2023
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Messi began that spell at PSG, where he netted nine goals as they won the French Ligue 1 title, before securing a move to Inter Miami in June and helping the club to the inaugural League Cup.
Meanwhile, Haaland notched a Premier League record 36 goals last term, and a club record 52 goals in all competitions to help City to their first-ever Champions League, FA Cup and Premier League treble.
The winner is determined by a mix of votes from fans, journalists, national team managers and captains.
As per the FIFA website, Messi and Haaland actually finished on the same amount of points, with the former only being announced as the winner after recording more first-placed nominations from national team captains.
Fans were in fits of laughter at just how unimpressed Haaland's dad, Alfie, appeared in response to the reveal.
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"I saw Haaland's dad's reaction when Messi was pronounced as #TheBest men player of the year," said one spectator on X in response to camera panning to the frustrated father.
Another viewer laughed: "Haaland's dad is p****d off that Messi won."
Among the national team captains who voted for Messi were Mbappe, Harry Kane, Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson, Luka Modric and Aaron Ramsey.
Meanwhile, Ilkay Gundogan and Casemiro voted for Haaland, as did Messi himself.
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Mbappe finished in third after, like Messi, winning the Ligue 1 title with PSG while clinching a fifth consecutive Golden Boot. The France skipper also scored 18 goals for his club between 19 December 2022 to 20 August 2023.