A furious Lionel Messi has demanded a recount after he was denied an awards treble last night.
Despite scooping the FIFA Best Men’s Player award and his inclusion in the Men’s XI, the Argentine star was bewildered by FIFPro’s decision to overlook him for the Best Women’s category.
PARIS, FRANCE – FEBRUARY 27: Lionel Messi (Argentina / Paris Saint-Germain FC) poses for photos with his trophy of FIFA Men’s World 11 during The Best FIFA Football Awards 2022 on February 27, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by Marcio Machado/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
The Paris Saint Germain forward caused a stir during his acceptance speech when he accused fans, coaches, captains of national teams and 300 journalists worldwide, of bias towards his female counterpart Alexis Putellas.
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There has been a long-held belief within the footballing community that FIFA and certain members of the media show favouritism to Messi’s rivals, including Cristiano Ronaldo and Wout Weghorst.
‘I am sick and tired of FIFA’s anti-Messi agenda’, Messi told audience members at the Paris ceremony.
‘I barely ever get a look in at these awards dos.
‘And to walk away with only two trophies tonight is such a smack in the face for everyone involved with the women’s game’.
‘No one’s been robbed like this since Robert Lewandowski’s 2020 Ballon d’Or snub.’
TOPSHOT – Argentina’s forward #10 Lionel Messi and Poland’s forward #09 Robert Lewandowski (L) greet each other before the start of the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group C football match between Poland and Argentina at Stadium 974 in Doha on November 30, 2022. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
Things took a further turn for the worse when Messi lost out on the Best Goalkeeper award to compatriot Emi Martinez.
‘F**king fix’, screamed Messi, as the Aston Villa keeper was presented with the trophy.
The former Barca star then sang Birmingham City’s ‘Keep Right On’ anthem over the top of Martinez’s acceptance speech, before being dragged off stage by security.
Discussing his outburst with Paddy Power News, the 35-year-old Argentina skipper said:
‘Daylight robbery Emi getting that award instead of me’.
‘And look at the phallic shaped award with its bulbous end. He’ll be making all sorts of lewd gestures with that thing’.
LUSAIL CITY, QATAR – DECEMBER 18: H.E Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani looks on as Emiliano Martinez of Argentina gestures with the world cup trophy during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
Meanwhile, Scotland Yard are said to be investigating Virgil van Dijk’s inclusion in the FIFPro Men’s XI.
‘This could be football’s greatest mystery since Man City had those stars above their badge’, said a Scotland Yard spokesperson.
‘We called in Patrick Moore at one point God rest his soul and even he couldn’t tell us what those stars were for’.
*Paddy Power’s breaking news coverage is 110% nonsense and that’s the truth. Honest.
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