“Robbery Again”: Fans Feel Messi Shouldn’t Have Made UEFA Player of the Year Award

• UEFA have released their nominees for the Men's Player of the Year award
• Footie fans are questioning the inclusion of Lionel Messi on the shortlist
• Manchester City stars dominate the nominees for the award

UEFA have released their nominees for the Men's Player of the Year award, prompting fans to raise questions about the inclusion of Lionel Messi instead of Rodri and Vinicius Junior.

The Argentine icon is nominated for the award alongside Manchester City's treble-winning heroes Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne.

Haaland and De Bruyne played a huge role in helping Pep Guardiola's side win their first UEFA Champions League trophy.

But Rodri, who scored the winner for City at the Ataturk Stadium in the final against Inter Milan, and Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Junior, were overlooked, per ESPN.

Football fans on social media are backing Rodri, in particular, as the best defensive midfielder in world football and with good reason. His displays for City last season were heroic and he was even a threat going forward.

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However, UEFA have instead nominated Lionel Messi for the award after yet another superb season for the legendary forward.

Hence, some fans are questioning UEFA's decision not to acknowledge Vinicius and Rodri's European heroics last season.

@YashRMFC tweeted:

"We cannot beat Messi's PR, Rodri or maybe Vinicius literally deserved to be there man."

@MadridPreeti tweeted:

"Vinicius and Rodri being robbed of an award by Messi."

@ronaldowarrior tweeted:

"Rodri robbed once again. How did Messi make it over him?"

@KevRole tweeted:

"Messi instead of Rodri nominated. Why is our boy getting robbed every year?"

@ELLEONRMA tweeted:

"Vini (13 G/A, most dribbles, most take-ons completed, fans' UCL POTS) & Rodri (ucl final goalscorer, ucl final motm, this season's best UCL midfielder) are getting robbed, and who it is again? Leo Messi,I keep saying it,if he deserved what he wins,he would be more respected."

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Messi's performances last season

Messi bagged 30 goals and 21 assists in 47 matches across all competitions for Paris Saint-Germain. He was part of the Parisian side that won the Ligue 1 title before he headed out of Europe to join MLS side Inter Miami earlier this summer.

Per Sportskeeda, the Argentine maestro's final season at the Parc des Princes was a topsy-turvy one, despite his sensational performancez. His PSG side crashed out of the Champions League in the Round of 16 to Bayern Munich.

History's biggest Ballon d'Or 'robberies'

Sports Brief also reported on the decision to hold the 2022 World Cup in the 'weird' month of December sparking unprecedented debate ahead of the 2023 Ballon d'Or race.

The World Cup is often a strong indicator of who will win, with Messi believed to be leading the race for the coveted gong, yet Haaland has since immersed himself in the debate.

There is no doubt the 2023 race to the top individual prize in football will be a heated one, but what are some of the most controversial Ballon d'Or decisions in awards history?