Lionel Messi: Thierry Henry collects Best FIFA Men's Player Award for absent Argentina star

Lionel Messi: Thierry Henry collects Best FIFA Men's Player Award for absent Argentina star

Tosin Abayomi 21:55 - 15.01.2024

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.

Messi beat out Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe to win the Best FIFA Men's Award in London.

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.

Messi emerge winner among the FIFA The Best Men's Player of the Year nominees X@FIFAWorld Cup
Messi emerge winner among the FIFA The Best Men's Player of the Year nominees X@FIFAWorld Cup

"You are a Tottenham fan right? You can touch it too.

"You usually don't get your hands on a trophy."

Thierry Henry and Lionel Messi with the 2008/09 LaLiga title won under Pep Guardiola
Thierry Henry and Lionel Messi with the 2008/09 LaLiga title won under Pep Guardiola

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.

Inter Miami stars Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi train for a friendly against Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr.
Inter Miami stars Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi train for a friendly against Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr.

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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