Lionel Messi did not vote for Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior as his front-runner to win the FIFA best player award, instead throwing his support behind Barcelona star Lamine Yamal.
Vinicius, who was disappointed not to beat Rodri for the Ballon d'Or award earlier this season, instantly claimed his crowning glory. received this trophywhich is voted by captains, managers and international media representatives.
of Real Madrid The star dominated the voting when it came to captains, picking up 617 points compared to Rodri's 373, but he only took one of those points from Messi as the Argentine superstar had Vinicius down in third place.
Messi pipped Madrid team-mate Kylian Mbappe to second place but awarded his full five points to Yamal, who finished fifth in the voting.
Messi was one of only ten captains to put Yamal first, alongside those from Afghanistan, American Samoa, Bahamas, Botswana, Brunei, Honduras, Seychelles, Thailand and Uzbekistan.
The Inter Miami star made his love for Yamal clear after the latter received the Golden Boy Award last month in a joint message to Barcelona Femen star Vicky Lopez, who won the Golden Girl award.
“Lamine, Vicky: this award is the result not only of talent, but of hard work and sacrifice,” Messi said. “It is an honor to be part of Messi+10. Congratulations and keep it up.”