Defender David Alaba of Real Madrid has given an explanation for why he chose to vote for Lionel Messi to win the 2022 Best Player of the Year title.
On February 28, 2023, Alaba posted a statement on his official social media accounts stating that the Austrian national team as a whole made the decision, not just him.
Everyone in the team council is able to vote and that’s how it’s decided. Everyone knows, especially Karim, how much I admire him and his performances, and I have often said that for me he is the best striker in the world, and that is still the case. Without a doubt.
When it was revealed that the defender had chosen Messi over Alaba, the hashtag #AlabaOut quickly became popular on social media.
Regarding FIFA The Best Award:
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.Everyone knows, especially Karim, how much I admire him and his performances
— David Alaba (@David_Alaba) February 28, 2023
and I have often said that for me he is the best striker in the world, and that is still the case. Without doubt.
— David Alaba (@David_Alaba) February 28, 2023
