Gareth Southgate doesn’t rate Messi as one of the world’s best three players.
After Cristiano Ronaldo won the top accolade at the Best FIFA Football Awards, the attention turned towards the ballots and the inevitable intrigue that surrounds the voting patterns.
While both footballers continue to push each other to achieve amazing feats, there’s no denying that the healthy rivalry between both men remains as strong as ever and that’s also reflected off the pitch, as well as on it.
In a move that’s completely understandable, the Real Madrid superstar snubbed Messi in favour of supporting his team-mates at the Bernabeu. Messi did the exact same.
Ronaldo gave his votes to Luka Modric, Sergio Ramos and Marcelo.
Messi backed Luis Suarez, Andres Iniesta and Neymar as his three picks.
Regarding the criterion for registering a vote, the manager and captain of each national team are allowed to nominate a first, second and third choice for the overall award. A media representative from each country is also given the same opportunity.
Players are not allowed to vote for themselves.
England captain Jordan Henderson picked Ronaldo over Messi and gave his final vote to his former Liverpool team-mate, Luis Suarez. Gareth Southgate went for Ronaldo, Modric and Toni Kroos.
Welsh captain Ashley Williams didn’t vote but his manager did offer his opinion. Chris Coleman picked Ramos, Modric and Harry Kane as the world’s best players.
As for Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, here’s how their selections went.
Gordon Strachan voted for Modric, Kante, and Messi while Scottish captain Scott Brown went for Ronaldo, Messi, and Neymar.
Northern Ireland skipper and Southampton midfielder Steven Davis selected Ronaldo, Messi and Gianluigi Buffon while his international manager Michael O’Neill chose Ronaldo, Hazard, and Kante.
Martin O’Neill voted for Ronaldo, Messi, and Hazard. Republic of Ireland captain Seamus Coleman selected Ronaldo, Messi, and Juventus forward Paulo Dybala.
