Did Karim Benzema Take a Shot at Lionel Messi Over FIFA Best Award?
Fans were surprised by Karim Benzema's Instagram posts at Monday night's FIFA Best Award ceremony.
Lionel Messi, coming off a historic 2022 season that included his first World Cup victory, was awarded Best FIFA Men's Player at the showcase event, edging out Kylian Mbappe and Karim Benzema of France.
After he accepted his second FIFA Men's Player award in Paris, the Argentine player said, "It's amazing. It's an honor for me to be here tonight and win this award.
"Without my teammates, I wouldn't be here. It was an amazing year, and I achieved the dream that I've been hoping for so long, and finally, I managed to achieve it."
Numerous people, in the minutes following Messi's statement, guessed that Real Madrid's star forward Karim Benzema was not pleased with the outcome, Sport Bible says.
Benzema posted a video on his Instagram account that read: "Liar, yes, you liar," after skipping the FIFA Best Award ceremony Monday night.
Karim Benzema en story Instagram 😭 pic.twitter.com/z58szUh8wO
— France RMCF (@FranceRMCF) February 27, 2023
The French forward even added "Good night" as a caption to the video.
Lionel Messi beat out Benzema for the award by getting 52 points. Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappe placed second with 44 points, and Benzema was reportedly placed third with 32 points.
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Karim Benzema Is Known for Posting Cryptic Messages on His Social Media Accounts
Benzema's social media accounts have a history of cryptic message posts.
For instance, Karim Benzema posted a selfie with the comment, "It doesn't interest me," amid rumors that he would make a sensational comeback to Didier Deschamps' squad near the end of the World Cup because France had not called up a substitute when he was forced to miss the tournament with an injury.
The Frenchman was injured on the eve of the World Cup, and he was subsequently sent home, the Daily Mail noted.
He got up quickly after taking the blow, leading others to wonder whether this was another chapter in his troubled history with Deschamps.
Moreover, due to a blackmail issue that hovered over him from his earlier playing years, Benzema went a long period without being called up to the French national team.
David Alaba Explains Why He Chooses Lionel Messi Over Karim Benzema To Win FIFA Best Award
Defender David Alaba of Real Madrid responded to racist remarks and online abuse by explaining why he chose Lionel Messi over his colleague Karim Benzema for the 2022 FIFA Best Award.
National team coaches and captains, international journalists, and fans all cast votes on FIFA's website for the annual awards.
After awarding five points to Messi, three to Benzema, and one to Kylian Mbappe, Austria captain Alaba was criticized on social media by Real Madrid supporters.
Some fans even called him "Judas," and the hashtag #AlabaOut trended on Twitter.
Lionel Messi, who led Argentina to World Cup victory in 2022, beat out PSG colleague Mbappe and Real Madrid's Karim Benzema to win the FIFA Best Award on Monday.
"The Austrian national team vote for this award as a team, not me alone. Everyone in the team council can vote, and that's how it's decided. Everyone knows, especially Karim, how much I admire him and his performances," Alaba tweeted Tuesday.
Ralf Rangnick, coach of Austria, did not select Benzema but instead voted for Messi, Mbappe, and Jude Bellingham.
Benzema scored a career-high 27 goals in LaLiga for Madrid that season, and he also led all scorers with 15 goals in the Champions League and was awarded the 2022 Ballon d'Or in October.
The injury that sidelined Benzema was a significant factor in Messi being crowned the tournament's most valuable player in Qatar.
Alaba explained the matter and reaffirmed his respect for Karim Benzema despite reports from ESPN sources that Benzema is unconcerned about the award votes.
Alaba tweeted: "And I have often said that for me, he is the best striker in the world, and that is still the case. Without doubt."
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This article is owned by Latin Post.
Written by: Bert Hoover
WATCH: Lionel Messi wins BEST FIFA Men's Player award [FULL REACTION] - From ESPN FC
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