David Alaba has received racist abuse online after it emerged that Austria’s vote in the FIFA Best Awards had gone to Lionel Messi, rather than the defender’s Real Madrid team-mate Karim Benzema.
Messi won the men’s player of the year award at the Paris ceremony for the second time, a result that was no surprise after he led Argentina to World Cup glory at the end of last year.
Kylian Mbappe and Ballon d’Or winner Benzema were the two others player on the shortlist, with both making the FIFA Men’s World XI.
The award was voted for by coaches of national teams, as well as captains and some journalists and fans from across the world.
Alaba was racially abused after it emerged that he had seemingly voted for Messi rather than Benzema, a selection that shocked many Real fans.
However, the 30-year-old has since taken to Twitter to explain that Austria’s vote was not solely decided by him, with the group of individuals involved collectively deciding to pick Messi for the main award.
“The Austrian national team vote for this award as a team, not me alone,” said Alaba.
“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.”
