Published on 2024-01-19 12:11:10
Lionel Messi was awarded FIFA’s The Best Men’s Player of 2023, sparking debate over the decision. Former professional footballer Stan Collymore is among those who believe that Man City’s Erling Haaland should have been named the winner instead. The Best award was exclusive to 2023 and did not factor in Messi’s achievements at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, leading many to argue that Haaland should have been the recipient.
Collymore opined that Haaland’s accomplishments in 2023 were “superior” to the rest of the competition. The Norwegian striker made a significant impact in the Premier League, breaking records and contributing to Manchester City’s first Treble win.
In his latest exclusive column for CaughtOffside, Collymore criticized the voting criteria for individual football awards and called for changes to be made. He expressed his belief that the awards should be based on players’ wins, additions to their team, and individual statistics rather than being influenced by celebrity status.
Collymore also criticized the impact of the awards’ criteria in favoring well-known players like Messi and Ronaldo, suggesting that they are often handed out to ensure notable figures receive recognition from influential individuals. He emphasized that Haaland’s outstanding performance in the 2023 season, particularly in breaking the goalscoring record in the Premier League, should have merited him the award.
The former footballer stressed the need for the awards to be decided based on credible criteria rather than resembling a beauty pageant. He proposed that future awards should emphasize proper factors such as player statistics and achievements. Collymore’s viewpoint reflects a call for a more objective approach to determining the winners of prestigious football awards.
