'I voted at FIFA's Best Awards - Erling Haaland would've been a deserved winner'
Erling Haaland broke every goal record, won the Treble and deserves every award going.
That is why the Manchester City striker got my vote in FIFA’s Best awards as the outstanding player in a remarkable season. I regard it as a huge honour to be invited as a journalist to vote alongside captains, coaches and fans for the prestigious award.
I went: 1 Haaland, 2 Rodri and 3 Lionel Messi. For the record, England boss Gareth Southgate voted Haaland, Rodri and Bernardo Silva as his top three while Harry Kane chose Messi, Haaland and Silva.
Messi won the Ballon D’Or but the key for the FIFA Best awards is the qualifying period. It was 19 December 2022 and 20 August 2023 which is clearly post-World Cup and, in my mind, that meant City had to sweep the board. City were the best team in the Premier League which is arguably the hardest domestic league in world football.
Haaland’s goal tally of 52 in all competitions was the reason why City won the title, the FA Cup and the Champions League. He was the striker everyone feared and he also ruled Europe which, to my mind, was the reason he was head and shoulders above the rest.
Chelsea complete record-breaking Enzo Fernandez transfer after deadline day rush
The Norway striker looks like a giant on the pitch, he stands tall and is powerful. He has transformed City and is an unstoppable machine.
To win the Treble is just a remarkable achievement. It is also why I chose Rodri as second in my top three. I cannot believe that I chose a defensive midfielder in my top three. But that’s how good he was. He also scored the winning goal in the Champions League final.
He is the best holding midfielder in the world and is the reason why City were so consistent and so reliable. Trust me, as a player who loves attacking players and adores Kylian Mbappe, it was a big call. But if we are talking about awards then it has to be about trophies and Rodri is a winner.
Lionel Messi continued to conjure magic throughout 2023 (Getty Images)Rodri was the glue which held it all together. Mbappe is amazing. He’s the nearest thing you will ever get to Thierry Henry and has the time to go even further and do even better.
But it was Messi who made my third spot in the men’s award. That is because I’m an old sentimentalist. He won the World Cup (which was done before the qualifying period) and is the greatest. His dribbling, skill and ability is beyond parallel.
Messi is the player that makes you feel lucky you saw him in the flesh. He’s the one to tell the grandkids about.
I went to the United States and saw his debut for Inter Miami in his new adventure in Major League Soccer. Of course he scored a stunning last minute winner with a glorious free kick.
That is just what he does. And for that and his memories plus the stardust he has brought to MLS is the reason why I just could not ignore the greatest.
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
