Argentinian, Brazilian, and global media all agree that 36-year-old superstar Lionel Messi faces slim chances of winning The Best award for the second consecutive time.

Brazil’s largest news portal, Universo Online, strongly criticized Messi’s inclusion in The Best 2023’s Top 3 despite FIFA not considering World Cup 2022 achievements for this year’s award. The headline read, “FIFA tears up rules, and Messi could win two Best awards for one World Cup.”

Universo Online (UOL), with over 466 million visits in November 2023, is the largest newspaper in South America, according to SimilarWeb. Journalist Rafael Reis questioned Messi’s inclusion in the top 3, given his performances from December 19, 2022, to August 20, 2023.

Reis argued that Messi’s victories in Ligue 1 and the Leagues Cup are akin to obligations with PSG and don’t justify his Top 3 placement. He suggested that Messi’s nomination is solely based on his World Cup 2022 performance.

The FIFA Best award is the second most prestigious individual accolade in football, following the Ballon d’Or. Unlike previous years, FIFA altered its calculation method, considering an 18-month period for The Best 2022 that included the conclusion of World Cup 2022. The Best 2023, however, only covers an eight-month span, leading Reis to accuse FIFA of bending the rules.

Reis argued that neither Messi nor Kylian Mbappe deserves to be in the Top 3 this year if World Cup performances are excluded. He suggested that players like Rodri, Vinicius Junior, Victor Osimhen, or Lautaro Martinez are more deserving of a Top 3 spot.

Reis concluded by stating that Erling Haaland’s victory would be the only result capable of salvaging FIFA’s reputation, preventing The Best from becoming a laughingstock.

Argentina’s second-largest newspaper, La Nacion, also voiced skepticism about Messi’s candidacy, favoring Haaland. The 23-year-old striker’s treble with Manchester City, record-breaking Premier League goal tally, and the European Golden Shoe were deemed more worthy.

Surprisingly, French, Dutch, and Portuguese media were also taken aback by Messi’s Top 3 placement. Dutch Voetbal International considered Messi the most unexpected inclusion, given his modest goal tally in six MLS matches. French Foot Mercato expressed surprise at Rodri’s absence and anticipated controversy among Manchester City fans seeing Messi in the list. Spanish Diario Sport trusted Haaland to claim his first The Best title.

The voting panel for The Best 2023 comprises four groups: coaches, national team captains, journalists from member associations, and online fan votes. These groups carry equal weight, with the top three from each category revealed after the awards ceremony.

The Best 2023 ceremony is scheduled for January 15, 2024, in London.