Real Madrid Defender David Alaba Explains Why He Voted for Lionel Messi

• David Alaba has explained why he decided to vote for Lionel Messi ahead of Katim Benzema
• The Real Madrid defender has courted acrimony among the fans of Real Madrid
• They were furious that he chose Lionel Messi over Karim Benzema Messi won the 2022 FIFA

Real Madrid defender David Alaba has been forced to clarify why he chose to vote for Paris Saint-Germain star Lionel Messi ahead of his club colleague Karim Benzema.

Alaba was the only Los Blancos player to vote for the Argentine, who won the coveted prize for a record-extending seventh time at the 2022 awards held in Paris, France.

His decision did not sit down well with a cross-section of Madrid fans, receiving a truckload of backlash including racist abuse, per SportBIBLE.

The Real Madrid defender, who doubles as the captain of Austria, voted for Messi in first, Benzema in second position, and Kylian Mbappe in third.

Explained: Why Argentina's Emi Martinez was snubbed from World XI despite winning Best Goalkeeper Award

Football

Alaba was forced to come out on social media and explain that he didn't vote for the award individually on Twitter.

He tweeted: Regarding FIFA The Best Award: The Austrian national team vote for this award as a team, not me alone. Everyone in the team council is able to vote and that's how it's decided.

Everyone knows, especially Karim, how much I admire him and his performances and I have often said that for me he is the best striker in the world, and that is still the case. Without doubt.

Benzema jabs FIFA

Meanwhile, Karim Benzema has described FIFA as liars after Lionel Messi was named the 2022 best player at The Best Awards in Paris, France.

Benzema feels the accolade was given to the wrong person after his stellar campaign with Real Madrid in 2022, including winning the La Liga and UEFA Champions League titles, finishing the year as the top scorer.

FIFA Best Awards: Real Madrid fans furious with David Alaba after voting for Messi ahead of Benzema

Football

Reacting after the ceremony, Benzema posted a video of a man saying what is translated as 'Good night, liars, you lie' to his Instagram story.

Messi crowned world's best player

Sports Brief also reported on Messi being crowned best player at the 2022 FIFA The Awards held in Paris, France, on February 27.

The legendary Argentina forward beat PSG teammate, Mbappe and Real Madrid star, Benzema to win the top award again.

Messi led his country to the World Cup title in Qatar, netting in all knockout games and scoring a brace in the final.