Lionel Messi is the best footballer in the world. This is how national team captains, coaches and journalists decide. The seventh honor for the Argentine world champion does not suit everyone. Above all, his competitor Karim Benzema is very upset.
Karim Benzema avoided direct criticism, but his references to the world footballer election in Paris were clear. The 35-year-old star striker from Real Madrid was only third in the prestigious election behind Argentina’s world champion Lionel Messi and his French compatriot Kylian Mbappé – and now reacted on Instagram.
“The legend Karim Benzema from last August to the end of FIFA’s nomination period for The Best award with club and national team,” the five-time Champions League winner began his text. Then the Ballon d’Or winner listed all his goals, assists, title wins and individual accolades.
He also posted a picture with his Real teammate Vinicius Junior on his Instagram story and wrote: “The Beasts”. Unlike Benzema, the Brazil international hadn’t even made it into the best XI of 2022. For another picture of himself, the striker wrote: “GOAT” (Greatest of All Time).
Superstar Messi was named world footballer for the seventh time. David Alaba also voted for Messi ahead of his Real teammate Benzema. As a result, the captain of the Austrian national team was insulted and racially insulted online and in his own social networks. The former Bayern professional fought back: “Austria’s national team chose this award as a team, not me alone,” Alaba said on social media: “Everyone on the team council can vote, and that’s how it was decided. Everyone knows especially Karim, how much I admire him and his achievements.”
Benzema, like other Real Madrid stars, stayed away from the ceremony. According to Spanish media reports, in protest against the award and the non-consideration of their young star Vinicius Junior on the 26-player shortlist for the world eleven.
