David Alaba was voted Austria’s captain at the FIFA The Best awards gala, while the Real Madrid defender picked Lionel Messi as the best player over fellow player Karim Benzema.

Benzema (Real Madrid)Photo: Pressinphoto / Shutterstock Editorial / Profimedia

David Alaba says that the Austrian national team voted for Lionel Messi

Alaba’s vote (Messi 1st, Benzema 2nd and Mbappe 3rd) angered Real fans and he explained his decision on social media.

“I want to make some clarifications after the FIFA The Best award. The Austrian national team voted for this award as a team, not just me. Anyone in the group has a voice, and we did. Everyone knows, and especially Kareem, how much I admire him and his game. And I have already said several times that for me he is the best striker in the world. And that, without a doubt,” – David Alaba.

Luka Modric, a teammate of Benzema and Alba at Real Madrid, voted for the Frenchman as the captain of the Croatian national team.

FIFA The Best 2022 Gala took place on Monday evening, Lionel Messi won the best player award for the second time. The Argentine also received this award in 2019.

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