Real Madrid and Austrian defender David Alaba has defended his decision to vote for Lionel Messi in the FIFA World Cup ahead of teammate Karim Benzema.
After the results of FIFA’s Best were announced on Monday, Lionel Messi was crowned the winner of the FIFA Best Award in France. Karim Benzema finished in third place, behind winners Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe. All Real Madrid players who voted chose Karim Benzema as the number one player of their choice, apart from defender David Alaba, who voted for Messi in the first place.
The Austrian defender has since received disturbing messages from Real Madrid fans after the incident, and the defender has come out to defend his decision.
Taking to his social media pages, David Alaba explained his decision. “Regarding the FIFA Best Award: The Austrian national team voted 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. and I have often said that for me he is the best striker in the world, and that is still the case. Without doubt.” He wrote.
