Mikel Obi’s Opinion: Messi Deserves FIFA Best Award Over Haaland, Insists Former Captain

Messi was able to take the trophy after assisting PSG to win Ligue 1 title and Inter Miami to win the Leagues Cup, within the assessment period, December 19, 2022, to August 20, 2023.

During the same period, Norwegian striker, Erling Haaland helped Manchester City to win the treble – Champions League, FA Cup, and the Premier League in his debut season at the club.

Hence, Messi’s triumph came as a surprise, especially because of his incredible season in which he won the FA Cup, the Premier League, the Champions League, and the European Golden Boot with a record-breaking 36 league goals.

Messi has now joined Luka Modric, Robert Lewandowski, and Cristiano Ronaldo as the fourth footballer to win the award three times.

In his assessment of Lionel Messi’s win over Haaland, Mikel Obi told Sky Sports that the 36-year-old Argentine forward deserves it.

The former Chelsea midfielder said, “I think he did. We’ve complained that he hasn’t won the World Cup with Argentina. That was the only question. He hadn’t won it for Argentina. Then, he won the Copa America. The same year, he won the Copa America and the World Cup. Come on.”