Roberto Martinez has admitted to making a mistake in helping Lionel Messi win the FIFA Best Award.
Lionel Messi was voted the world’s best male football player in 2023 by captains, journalists, and managers, and he was crowned the winner on January 15. However, the head coach of the European national team regretted selecting the Argentine attacker two weeks prior to the event.
Roberto Martínez, who currently coaches Portugal, said his vote “was wrong”. Speaking to Portuguese outlet A Bola, Martínez admitted that he misunderstood “the period in question for the award”.
“I don’t think I was the only one who made this mistake. When you look at the votes, you would think that what happened at the World Cup was counted,” he explained.
Also Read: The Day When Cristiano Ronaldo Invited Lionel Messi At A Dinner
The award spanned the period from December 19, 2022 (the day after the World Cup final) to August 20, 2023. Martínez played a key role in Messi’s trophy triumph. The former Everton manager voted for Marcelo Brozovic, Bernardo Silva, and Messi, bringing him equal with Erling Haaland and eventually winning the captains’ vote.
Leo Messi’s Preseason
Messi’s Inter Miami has lost both of their preseason friendlies against two of the biggest Saudi League clubs. The club lost 4-3 against Al-Hilal in their first pre-season friendly and then were thrashed 6-0 by Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr.
Both Messi and Ronaldo didn’t play the game but the atmosphere has been wild since Miami’s defeat against the Al Nassr.
