Lionel Messi's 2024 FIFA The Best Men's Coach choices reveal who among Lionel Scaloni and Pep Guardiola he wanted to win

Lionel Messi's choices for 2024 FIFA The Best Men's Coach have been revealed. The legendary playmaker voted for Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, and Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente, in that order.

Captains of national teams can vote for any three head coaches of their choice. The first choice gets five points, the second choice gets three points, while the third gets just one point.

Lionel Messi decided to go for his Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni as his first choice. The 46-year-old head coach has had an impressive year, leading La Albiceleste to win Copa America 2024. He has been instrumental to the country's golden era of football, leading them to win the FIFA World Cup in 2022, alongside three other major trophies.

Messi picked his former manager Pep Guardiola as his second choice. The Manchester City manager led the Cityzens to their fourth Premier League title in a row last season. He was also big part of Messi's growth period at Barcelona, leading the Blaugrana through their golden age, where they won a sextuple.

In third place, Messi picked Luis de la Fuente. The Spain head coach led La Roja to win Euro 2024, winning every single match without needing to go to penalties.

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti was the eventual winner of the award. Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso came in second, while Pep Guardiola was third. Luis de la Fuente ranked fourth and Lionel Scaloni ranked fifth.

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Lionel Messi hails Barca youngster Lamine Yamal as a player with "a huge future"

Lionel Messi has hailed Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal as a player with a huge future during an interview at Adidas' headquarters in Germany. When asked to name a talented youngster who reminded him of his younger days, the legendary Argentine mentioned the young Spaniard.

Lionel Messi said (via ESPN):

"There's a very good generation of young footballers who have many years ahead of them. If I have to choose someone, because of the age and because of the future that he has, I've heard that they have chosen Lamine Yamal and without doubt [it's him] for me, too.

"I agree it depends on him and many things because that's how soccer is, but he's the present and without a doubt has a huge future."

Lamine Yamal shone brightly during Spain's run to win Euro 2024, scoring a wondergoal and providing four assists in their seven games. His run of form has continued at Barcelona this season, having scored six goals and provided 12 assists in 21 appearances across all competitions.