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Lionel Messi beat Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe to win Best FIFA Men's Player but was absent from collecting the award.
The Ballon d'Or and The Best FIFA Award double was completed by Lionel Messi on Monday, January 15, 2024.
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18:26 - 13.01.2024
Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo: Inter Miami stars train for friendly against Al-Nassr
Inter Miami stars Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi train for a friendly against Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr.
Messi beat out Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe to win the Best FIFA Men's Award in London.
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18:35 - 11.11.2023
Lionel Messi presents 8th Ballon d’Or as Inter Miami suffers loss to New York City
Lionel Messi returned in a 2-1 loss to present the 8th Ballon d’Or as Inter Miami suffers a loss to New York City.
Henry receives FIFA Best award for Messi
Due to Messi's inability to travel to London, Thierry Henry decides to pick up the trophy on Messi's behalf. He also used the occasion to make a mockery of the Tottenham Hotspurs for never having won a trophy.
Speaking on stage Henry said, "Unfortunately the winner is not here, so I will take it.
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"You are a Tottenham fan right? You can touch it too.
"You usually don't get your hands on a trophy."
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Did Messi deserve FIFA Best?
Messi wasn't at the celebration since he was getting ready for Friday's preseason friendly against El Salvador with his Inter Miami colleagues.
Unlike the Ballon d'Or, which honors players for their accomplishments over the course of a season, the Best FIFA Football Awards are often determined by performances over the length of a calendar year.
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Prior to joining Miami in July, Messi scored nine goals in 21 appearances for Paris Saint-Germain during the formal selection criteria for the 2023 award.
Then, in his first 14 games for Miami, he scored 11 goals and contributed five assists, helping his new team win its first trophy—the Leagues Cup.
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