Lothar Matthaus has once again criticized Lionel Messi, asserting that the Argentine did not deserve the FIFA Best Award in 2023 due to his failure to secure “major titles.”
Despite being acknowledged by his peers as the planet’s best player and earning another individual accolade to enhance his historic achievements, Messi’s inability to secure significant titles in 2023 has drawn criticism.
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Messi, who led Argentina to World Cup victory in 2022 and secured his eighth Ballon d’Or, shared equal points with Manchester City striker Erling Haaland in the FIFA Best vote.
However, Messi clinched the top prize by receiving more first-place votes from international team captains.
Former Germany skipper Matthaus believes such a standing is undeserved, telling Sky Deutschland: “He can’t be the winner this time.
“I think he was the best footballer of the last 20 years, but he has been in Paris and Miami, where he is now creating a hype, and not won any major titles.”
Matthaus, the recipient of the World Cup and Ballon d’Or in 1990, proceeded to explain why Messi should have been disregarded on this occasion.
He said: “If you look at the great successes, there is no way past Manchester City and – when choosing the best player – Erling Haaland.
“He won the most important titles with Man City, his strike rate was impressive. That should be be decisive when you choose the best and most important player – and that was Haaland.”
In 2023, Haaland played a crucial role in securing a Treble for City, comprising the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League.
Meanwhile, Messi secured his second Ligue 1 title with Paris Saint-Germain and subsequently led Inter Miami to Leagues Cup glory following his remarkable transfer to the United States.
