Sections of the Real Madrid fanbase took to social media, expressing their frustrations with midfielders Luka Modric and Federico Valverde with them subjected to abuse on Twitter/X after voting for Lionel Messi
The discontent arose following both players from Carlo Ancelotti’s squad publicly endorsing Lionel Messi during the voting process for the recent ‘The Best’ award.
Real Madrid fans abuse Luka Modric and Federico Valverde on Twitter/X for voting for Lionel Messi in FIFA The Best Awards 2023-2024
Modric and Valverde are facing abuse from Madrid/Ronaldo fans on Instagram after they voted for Messi in FIFA The Best awards. This is sad 💔 pic.twitter.com/eSt8IwlWkY
— Madrid Fan (@peak_reborn) January 16, 2024
FIFA presents this annual accolade to recognize the standout performer in world football over the preceding 12 months. The ceremony for ‘The Best’ occurred earlier in the evening, with Lionel Messi securing a record-setting third victory.
The Argentine’s triumph came after a tied vote with Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, ultimately resolved by the number of ‘first-place ballots’ from international captains.
Luka Modrić and Fede Valverde were among the players who had Messi as their top choice, a decision that has not been well-received by the Real Madrid fanbase.
Online Backlash
Abusive comments flooded the respective Instagram accounts of Modrić and Valverde on Monday, underscoring the lingering resentment towards Messi for his past successes with Barcelona in the Clásico rivalry.
Lionel Messi has once again proven that lightning can strike twice in the same spot. Following his unprecedented 8th Ballon d’Or victory a few months ago, Messi has now clinched his third FIFA Best Men’s Player Award.
Amidst the soccer community’s excitement over his remarkable success, attention turns to the unexpected supporters and rivals who voted for him.
Who Backed Messi For Award?
In addition to revered coaches and journalists, influential figures such as PSG’s Kylian Mbappé, Gianluigi Donnarumma, the Liverpool trio of Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and Andy Robertson, backed Messi for the coveted award.
Notably, rivals Fede Valverde and Luka Modrić from Real Madrid, Atletico’s Jan Oblak, and others like Robert Lewandowski, Harry Kane, Romelu Lukaku, Granit Xhaka, and Radamel Falcao also supported Messi.
Despite both Messi and Erling Haaland finishing with 48 points each, Messi secured the award by a narrow margin due to receiving more ‘first-place votes’ from national team leaders.
Alaba faced racism last year, now I want to see abuse towards Fede and Modric https://t.co/cA7JEQC0J9
— Pépinho 🇧🇷 (@Pepinho_95) January 15, 2024
PSG’s Kylian Mbappé took third place with 35 points. The votes from national team coaches, captains, journalists, and fans played a crucial role in determining the winner of this prestigious individual award.
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