Andre Onana Gets Lionel Messi Vote in FIFA Best Awards Amidst AFCON 2023 Mix Up

• Lionel Messi's FIFA Best Goalkeeper votes are raising eyebrows
• Messi placed his former Barca teammate, ter Stegen, in third spot
• Andre Onana made Messi's list despite his Man United challenges

The 2023 FIFA Best Awards ceremony took place in London, with Lionel Messi winning his third award to cap off what has been a brilliant 12 months for him.

Messi was awarded in absentia after the Argentine star failed to make the trip to England after resuming training two days ago with Inter Miami.

The awards came with its usual hullabaloo of favouritism, with fans failing to understand some choices in the final list of winners. For instance, Manchester City's Rodri failed to make the FifPro XI despite leading a commanding season in Pep Guardiola's treble-winning campaign.

Spain's women's national team produced just two players in the XI despite having many players who won the World Cup and the treble with Barcelona.

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Messi picks Onana over Ter Stegen

Messi's choices for the FIFA Best were also revealed, with the former Barcelona star picking Ederson, Andre Onana and Marc-Andre ter Stegen in first, second and third places, respectively.

After collating the results, Ederson was announced as the eventual winner, but Messi's pick of Onana amused fans.

Admittedly, Onana had a brilliant season with Inter Milan, guiding them to the Champions League final before crossing to Manchester United.

His start to life in England has been underwhelming at best, with the Cameroon shot-stopper particularly guilty of letting in 'cheap' goals.

@Agweiyaa said:

"Onana over Ter Stegen?? Naa, that’s not Messi’s vote."

@Resul said:

"Onana? What is my goat cooking"

@Otto said:

"People laughing at Onana, forgetting how good he was for Inter."

Onana's AFCON 2023 tribulations

The 27-year-old has had a mixed 24 hours where he helped Manchester United get a point against Tottenham before chartering a private flight to Ivory Coast for the Africa Cup of Nations, as reported by Sports Brief.

Weather issues in Yamoussoukro forced him to travel by road to Abidjan. He ended up failing to make it to Rigobert Song's squad for their opener against Guinea. The five-time champions drew the game 1-1 and will play Senegal next.