The soccer world has been divided over Lionel Messi‘s triumph in securing the FIFA Men’s Best Player Award, beating Erling Haaland. Many individuals have raised doubts about the credibility of the Argentine’s record fourth Best Award win. However, Manchester City legend, Sergio Aguero has come forward to defend his former teammate’s title as the ‘best’ player, asserting that Messi’s eminence will remain unrivaled until his retirement.

Esteemed figures within the sport including Lothar Matthaus and Micah Richards have deemed Haaland as having been a more deserving candidate for this award. Even Cristiano Ronaldo weighed into the controversy with a bold assertion that FIFA and the Ballon d’Or are losing credibility. So what does Aguero offer on this emerging debate?

Sergio Aguero believes Lionel Messi is the ‘Best’ until he retires

In a recent exclusive interview with Stake, Sergio Aguero was presented with a variety of questions, with the most significant one being whether Lionel Messi’s victory over Erling Haaland for the Best award in 2023 was the right decision. When confronted with this query, the 35-year-old’s affirmation regarding La Pulga’s victory was unequivocal and resonating. His exact words were: “If Leo’s still playing, he’ll be the best there is.”

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The retired superstar did not delve deeply into an examination based on performance statistics or technical analysis. Instead, he offered a notably straightforward response. If Sergio Aguero’s words are to be taken literally, Lionel Messi could be poised to secure successive ‘Best Award’ titles until he signals his retirement.

Currently residing amidst two consecutive triumphs of acquiring the prestigious trophy does give some credibility to this theory. Contrary to Aguero’s unabashed admiration for the Inter Miami captain, an alternate perspective has been posed by another ex-ManCity player. Micah Richards intriguingly voiced his dismay recently over the Norwegian striker not securing the win.

Micah Richards can’t fathom how Messi won over Erling Haaland

The soccer pundit had strongly advocated for Erling Haaland but was left disenchanted when he did not receive the title of FIFA Men’s Best Player. Recently, he challenged the decision that led to Lionel Messi triumphing despite World Cup accomplishments not being a criterion. In his perspective, “If it is from January to January, let’s be honest, I was right if it was because obviously the World Cup was in December, wasn’t it?”

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He further accentuated his stance by stating emphatically, “Of course, Haaland should have won it. Of course, he should,” concluded the Englishman.

Meanwhile, Lothar Matthaus told Sky Sports, “If you look at the great successes, there is no way past Manchester City and – when choosing the best player – Erling Haaland . He won the most important titles with Man City, his scoring rate was impressive. That should be decisive if you choose the best and most important player – and that was Haaland.”

Both Richards and Matthaus, and Aguero form contrasting viewpoints on this controversial topic regarding the FIFA Award.

Who do you think is the right worthy winner of the award? Let us know in the comments

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