Have a look at the FIFA The Best Awards 2023-2024 voting tiebreaker system explained
In the 2023 FIFA The Best Awards, Lionel Messi secured another victory, clinching the prestigious accolade for his exceptional performances with Inter Miami and the Argentina national team.
Despite sharing the same point total with Erling Haaland, the 36-year-old emerged as the winner, a result that raised eyebrows but was clarified by FIFA.
Why did Lionel Messi win FIFA The Best Award 2023-2024 despite tying on points with Erling Haaland and voting points tiebreaker system explained
โ๏ธ The FIFA Best voting breakdown reveals it was a tie between Messi and Haaland, with the votes from national team captains deciding the winner! โจ
โฝ๏ธ Captains: Messi ๐ฆ๐ท
๐๏ธ Fans: Messi ๐ฆ๐ท
๐ Coaches: Haaland ๐ณ๐ด
๐ฐ Media: Haaland ๐ณ๐ดFirst place votes from captains
๐ฅ Messi: 107โฆ pic.twitter.com/a9eopuocgU— MessivsRonaldo.app (@mvsrapp) January 15, 2024
The tiebreaker, outlined in Article 12 of the Rules of Allocation, came into play. With both Messi and Haaland accumulating 48 points, the number of first-choice nominations Messi received from national team captains became the decisive factor.
Messi garnered 13 first-choice votes, while Haaland had 11. This official explanation from FIFA quelled any confusion surrounding the unexpected outcome. Kylian Mbappe, who finished third with 35 points, secured nine first-choice nominations.
Although the decision may have surprised many, the rules of The Best FIFA Football Awards had preemptively established the tiebreaking procedure.
Article 12 Reads
Article 12 stipulates, โIn the event of a tie for first place, the player with the highest number of โfive-pointโ scores from the votes cast by the nomineeโs own group of voters shall be the winner.โ
In this case, Messi secured 107 โfive-point scoresโ compared to Haalandโs 64. Interestingly, Haaland received more votes from coaches and media, while Messi garnered greater support from captains and fans.
To provide context, Lionel Messi clinched the Best FIFA Menโs Player Award for the third time in the last four years, triumphing over Erling Haaland in a closely contested race.
Notice how Gundogan voted for Haaland yet Messi/Barca fans aren't stinking up his mentions?
This is how you behave if you're a big club. Stop harassing your players for having an opinion that is different from yours.
It shouldn't be your concern as a Madrid fan whether Modricโฆ pic.twitter.com/Jyh1ukklTV
— ๐ง๐ผ๐ฝ๐ ๐โ๐ป ๐ซ๐ทโท (@TopMGSzn) January 16, 2024
Who Won Womenโs Player Award?
Aitana Bonmati, the Spanish and Barcelona striker, claimed the Best FIFA Womenโs Player Award at the star-studded ceremony in London.
Additionally, Pep Guardiola, the coach of Manchester City, earned the Best Menโs Manager of 2023 award, while England coach Sarina Wiegman secured the womenโs best coach award for a record-extending fourth time, surpassing Inter Milanโs Simone Inzaghi and Napoliโs Luciano Spalletti.
Ederson, the goalkeeper for Manchester City, claimed the Best Menโs Goalkeeper award, while Mary Earps, the No. 1 goalkeeper for both Manchester United and England, secured the Womenโs award at the London ceremony.
The selection process for the best awards involves votes from national team captains, coaches, journalists, and fans.
Among those casting their votes for Messi were prominent figures such as India captain Sunil Chhetri, Harry Kane, and Mohamed Salah. Interestingly, Messi himself voted for Haaland, choosing him over Mbappe and his teammate Julian Alvarez.
Following FIFA rules, in case of a tie in points among finalists, the winner is determined by the individual with the most first-choice selections from their own group of voters, with captains playing a crucial role in this decision-making process.
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