Real Madrid defender David Alaba was racially abused on social media after voting for Leo Messi, and Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic accused soccer’s world governing body FIFA of disrespect on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Messi was named FIFA Best Player of Year<\/a> on Monday after leading Argentina to last year\u2019s World Cup title in Qatar, with Real’s French striker Karim Benzema in third place after a standout season helping Madrid to another Champions League title.<\/p>\n The award was decided by a poll of captains and coaches of the national teams, selected media and fans voting online from candidate lists decided by FIFA-appointed expert panels.<\/p>\n Alaba\u2019s vote as captain of Austria\u2019s national team \u2014 placing Messi first, Madrid teammate Benzema second and Kylian Mbappe, the eventual runner-up, in third \u2014 provoked anger from Madrid fans and others.<\/p>\n Alaba, who is Black, voted for Messi, who spent 17 seasons at Barcelona, Real Madrid\u2019s biggest rival.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Austrian national team vote for this award as a team, not me alone,\u201d \u0410\u043b\u0430\u0431\u0430,\u00a0 who joined Madrid last season after more than a decade at Bayern Munich, wrote on his social media accounts. \u201cEveryone in the team council is able to vote and that\u2019s how it\u2019s decided.<\/p>\n Regarding FIFA The Best Award: Everyone knows, especially Karim, how much I admire him and his performances<\/p>\n — David Alaba (@David_Alaba) February 28, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n
The Austrian national team vote for this award as a team, not me alone. Everyone in the team council is able to vote and that's how it's decided. <\/p>\n