FIFA The Best: Messi betrays protege Yamal

Lionel Messi’s voting choices at the 2025 FIFA The Best awards have sparked debate after the Argentine icon ranked Lamine Yamal behind two other stars.

The decision came on a night that saw Ousmane Dembele crowned the world’s best player following a historic season with Paris Saint-Germain.

Messi placed PSG winger Ousmane Dembele first in his vote for The Best Men’s Player of the Year, followed by Kylian Mbappé, with Barcelona teenager Lamine Yamal coming third.

The ranking raised eyebrows, given Messi’s well-documented admiration for Yamal, who has often been described as his natural heir at Barcelona.

Dembele ultimately justified Messi’s top pick by winning the award outright. The 28-year-old completed a remarkable individual sweep after also claiming the 2025 Ballon d’Or, finishing ahead of Yamal and several other elite names.

Messi’s vote mirrored the final outcome, which comes as less of a surprise considering his recognition of Dembele’s dominance over the past season after the Frenchman claimed the Ballon d’Or.

Dembele was named The Best FIFA Men’s Player of 2025 after playing a central role in PSG’s treble-winning campaign.

He registered 35 goals and 16 assists in 53 appearances, driving the Parisians to their first-ever UEFA Champions League title alongside domestic honours.

Messi’s ballots in other categories saw Luis Enrique, Hansi Flick and Mikel Arteta ranked for Coach of the Year, while Gianluigi Donnarumma topped his goalkeeper choices.

Still, it was his ordering of Yamal behind Dembele and Mbappé that proved the most controversial moment of his FIFA votes.