“Love Messi but this season, he really has no business there” - Fans label Lionel Messi ‘FIFA pet boy’ after latest award nomination

Fans took to social media to label Lionel Messi 'FIFA pet boy' after he was nominated for The Best FIFA Men's Player 2024. The list of nominees for the award mainly includes players currently in Europe and were nominated for the Ballon d'Or. The only surprise name, as per fans, on the list is Messi. The Argentine icon plays in the MLS and was not a Ballon d'Or nominee this year.

Three players from Spain have been nominated for The Best FIFA Men's Player 2024. They are Kopa Trophy winner Lamine Yamal, Ballon d'Or winner Rodri, and Real Madrid defender Dani Carvajal. Kylian Mbappe is the only player from France and Jude Bellingham is the only player from England to make the list.

Toni Kroos may have retired from the sport but his contributions in helping Real Madrid win the UEFA Champions League have been remembered. His German compatriot Florian Wirtz has also been nominated after an impressive Bundesliga season (11 goals, 12 assists in 32 games in 2023-24).

Vinicius Jr., who finished second in the Ballon d'Or rankings, has been nominated for The Best award alongside Madrid teammate Federico Valverde. Erling Haaland's ruthless goalscoring runs with Manchester City have also not gone unnoticed.

The only surprise addition to the list for fans is Lionel Messi. The 37-year-old legend won the Supporters' Shield with Inter Miami and the Copa America with Argentina. However, fans took to social media platform X to question his nomination.

"What exactly did Messi do to make this list??" a fan asked.

"That is crazy 😂 love Messi but this season he really has no business there," another fan commented.

"Messi got nominated because he won the WC in 2022 😭😭😭😭," a third added.

"They just be letting anyone on the team man. Clearly a FIFA BOY ATM!! 😭😭😭," a fourth mocked.

"Who invited this guy?" a fifth asked.

"Messi is fifa pet boy… if fifa is honest with his award. Messi won’t have more awards over Ronaldo," another fan mocked.

"Suarez and Messi still play football? This is a joke," this fan said.

"What did Messi do in 2024?" another asked.

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Lionel Messi impressed in MLS to convince FIFA of The Best nomination

While fans see his inclusion as a surprise from FIFA for The Best Men's Player 2024, Lionel Messi has been one of the best players in the MLS this season. He was out of action for three months after injuring his ankle during the Copa America final (Argentina beat Colombia 1-0 on July 14). However, his quality was on display whenever he was on the pitch for Inter Miami.

Despite playing just 19 MLS games for the Herons this season, Messi scored 20 goals and provided 10 assists. He scored one goal and provided an assist in their three-game run in the MLS Cup Playoffs.

Lionel Messi led the side to Supporters' Shield glory, their second trophy, after leading them to Leagues Cup victory in 2023. The CONCACAF Champions Cup has eluded Inter Miami, and Lionel Messi might look to change that next year.