Roberto Martínez admits to making mistake in helping Lionel Messi win The Best award

On January 15, Lionel Messi won The Best award for the best male Footballer in the world in 2023, thanks to the votes of captains, journalists and managers. Two weeks before the ceremony, however, a European national team head coach expressed his regrets about voting for the Argentine forward.

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.

The award covered the period from 19 December 2022 (the day after the World Cup final) to 20 August 2023. Martínez was also instrumental in Messi winning the award. The former Everton boss voted for Marcelo Brozovic, Bernardo Silva and Messi, allowing him to draw level with Erling Haaland and subsequently be crowned by the captains’ choice.

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Messi in preseason

Messi and Inter Miami continue their series of friendlies ahead of the new MLS season. After losing 4-3 to Al-Hilal on Monday, the club are now preparing to take on fellow Saudi side Al-Nassr.

Cristiano Ronaldo suffered an injury before the club’s proposed tour of China and his presence against the Orlando outfit is still in doubt. The clash between Al-Nassr and Inter Miami will take place on Thursday and star players Messi, Luis Suárez, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets are all available for Miami head coach Tata Martino.