Despite having been informed that he would not be the player to receive the Best FIFA Men’s Player award, Lionel Messi attended through a video call the gala that took place in Zurich on Monday.
As a gesture of respect towards Robert Lewandowski, who received the accolade, Messi connected through his iPad and spent almost an hour watching the ceremony.
“I want to tell Robert [Lewandowski] that it is an honour for me to compete with him,” Messi said upon receiving the Ballon d’Or back in November.
“You deserve your Ballon d’Or. Last year everyone agreed that you were the winner. I think France Football should give you your Ballon d’Or and [you should] have it as you deserved it.
“I hope France Football can give it to you so you can have it in your house, because you were the deserved winner. You have to have it in your house.”
Lewandowski has been awarded the Best FIFA Men’s Player prize twice in 2020 and 2021, while Messi has received it once (2019) and Cristiano Ronaldo won it twice in 2016 and 2017.
