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In the just-concluded FIFA Best Men's Player award, Lionel Messi once again received the honor of being named the world's best footballer. This year has been a bountiful one for Messi, as he has won multiple awards and achieved his dream of winning the World Cup. However, the spotlight today is not on Messi but on Kylian Mbappé, who finished second in the voting. In this year's award, Mbappé came in second place with an 8-point difference. Why did Mbappé lose out in this year's voting?
As club teammates, both Mbappé and Messi won the Ligue 1 and French Super Cup championships this year. Mbappé even outperformed Messi in individual statistics by winning the Ligue 1 Golden Boot and being named the Ligue 1 Player of the Season. On the national team level, Mbappé also won the UEFA Nations League and the Golden Boot, so he had a successful year both at the club and international levels.
However, the direct face-off between the two players in the World Cup final played a crucial role in the voting. Despite Mbappé's hat-trick performance in that match, Messi's team emerged victorious, which likely influenced the award results. There is an unwritten rule in the Ballon d'Or and FIFA Best Men's Player awards that in World Cup years, the award typically goes to the standout performer of the World Cup. This is why Messi's victory in this year's FIFA Best Men's Player award is not surprising.
But based on his current performances, Mbappé is very close to winning his first Ballon d'Or and FIFA Best Men's Player award. At just 24 years old, he still has plenty of time to compete for these honors, especially as Messi's retirement is approaching. So, Mbappé has a bright future ahead, and if there's any regret, it's that he hasn't won these individual awards against Messi before the Argentine's retirement. However, everyone has their own era, and Mbappé's time may come in the future. |
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