Real Madrid’s defender David Alaba has been the latest recipient of racial abuse after his voting choice for the FIFA The Best Award was revealed.
The former Bayern Munich defender, who is also the captain of the Austrian National Team, got horrific abuse from Los Blancos fans after it was made know that he voted for Lionel Messi ahead of his club teammate Karim Benzema.
The 30-year-old voted for Messi as first, Benzema second, and French ace Kylian Mbappe third.
The FIFA The Best Award was held on Monday in Paris, with the Argentine talisman Messi leading other winners by winning the Best Men’s Award for 2022.
Alaba’s selection clearly enraged Real Madrid fans, who were outraged that one of their players voted for a former rival in Messi over the club captain and star forward Benzema.
The fans, however, have gone too far, with the hashtag #AlabaOut trending on social media and he receiving racial abuse on both Twitter and Instagram.
In return, Alaba responded via his official Twitter channel to explain the situation surrounding the vote.
The post read: “Regarding FIFA The Best Award, the Austrian national team vote for this award as a team, not me alone. 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.”
and I have often said that for me he is the best striker in the world, and that is still the case. Without doubt.
— David Alaba (@David_Alaba) February 28, 2023
The “Best Award” is usually given to the most outstanding player in a calendar year, with votes from national team coaches and captains, among others.
Messi emerged the winner with 52 points, Mbappe had 44 points, and Benzema was third with 32 points after having missed the World Cup through injury. Given the margin, this meant Alaba’s vote was probably insignificant to some extent.
