Gianluigi Donnarumma picks Lionel Messi as top candidate for FIFA The Best Men’s player award, other 2 choices also come to light
Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma chose Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, and Vinicius Jr. as his top three picks for the 2024 FIFA The Best Men’s Player award. The 2024 FIFA The Best ceremony was held in Doha, Qatar on December 17.
Lionel Messi has been one of the best players for MLS outfit Inter Miami in 2024, registering 23 goals and 13 assists in 25 outings across competitions. He also helped them win the 2024 MLS Supporters' Shield - the first in Inter Miami's history.
Argentina won the 2024 Copa America under the captaincy of La Pulga. However, he was injured in the final against Colombia, leading to Messi getting sidelined for almost two months and missing ten games for club and country.
According to FIFA's official documents featuring votes for the 2024 FIFA The Best Men’s Player award, Gianluigi Donnarumma nominated Lionel Messi as his favorite to win the award. He also chose Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr. in second and third positions, respectively.
Kylian Mbappe had a goalscoring feast last season, scoring 44 goals in 48 games for Paris Saint-Germain across competitions. He was also the top scorer in the UEFA Champions League (eight goals), Coupe de France (eight goals) and Ligue 1 (27 goals).
Vinicius Jr., meanwhile, was one of Real Madrid's top players in the 2023-24 season, winning the La Liga, UEFA Champions League, and Supercopa de Espana with Los Blancos. The Brazilian scored 24 goals and provided 11 assists for the Spanish giants across competitions.
Lionel Messi voted for Lamine Yamal as his 2024 FIFA The Best Men's Player of the Year favorite
Lionel Messi chose Lamine Yamal as his pick for the 2024 FIFA The Best Men's Player of the Year award. Lamine Yamal has been one of the most clutch players for both club and country in the 2023-24 season. The 17-year-old La Masia prodigy scored seven goals and created nine more in 50 games across competitions for Barcelona.
He was also instrumental in helping Spain win the Euro 2024. Yamal provided four assists in seven games and scored one of the best goals of the tournament against France in the semi-final.
With Les Bleus leading 1-0 courtesy of an early Kolo Muani goal (9'), Lamine Yamal produced a left-footed curler to equalize for La Roja in the 21st minute. Spain eventually won the match 2-1 and went on to defeat England in the final to claim the trophy.
As per FIFA's official documents, Lionel Messi picked Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr. as his second and third choices, respectively.
Vinicius Jr. eventually won the award with 48 points, while Messi's choice Lamine Yamal came fifth with 30 points. Kylian Mbappe amassed 14 points and came ninth in the ranking.