Lionel Messi has won the prestigious FIFA “The Best” Men’s Player award for the third time.
The Argentine football legend, who plays for Inter Miami after a Ligue 1 title with Paris Saint-Germain, edged out Manchester City’s goalscoring machine Erling Haaland, who was heavily favoured after a record-breaking debut season in England.
Haaland, who netted 52 goals in all competitions for City, entered the ceremony as a frontrunner. Yet, Messi who led Inter Miami to a Leagues Cup trophy just months after joining the MLS side – proved decisive in swaying the voters.
The award was conferred to Messi on Monday night.