Ex-Real Madrid keeper Iker Casillas makes a dig at old LaLiga rival Lionel Messi winning FIFA’s The Best award as he says organisers are ‘not doing things fairly’… and claims the prize should be re-named ‘The Smile’

Former Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas has taken a swipe at his former LaLiga rival Lionel Messi after the Argentine won FIFA’s The Best award, claiming organizers were ‘not doing things fairly’.

Messi capped off a memorable year in which he won the World Cup with Argentina by claiming another trophy, adding to his list of incredible accolades after also winning the Ballon d’Or for the eighth time at the end of last year.

But some believe Erling Haaland – who finished level on points with Messi before losing on technicality – or PSG star Kylian Mbappe should have been selected ahead of Messi, who has spent the past six months in the MLS with Inter Miami.

Haaland, who scored 48 points but received fewer captain votes than Messi, had staked a strong claim on the prize after scoring 52 goals in 53 games last season, an incredible record in front of goal that helped Man City to the treble of the table. Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League.

And Casillas made no attempt to hide his dissatisfaction after the results were announced. He claimed the process was not fair and suggested the prize should be renamed.

Iker Casillas has taken aim at Lionel Messi after winning FIFA’s The Best award

Casillas wrote on X: ‘You create some great prizes and you take them away by not doing things fairly. ‘The Smile’ more. Anyway, good night!’

Casillas regularly faced Messi during the fierce years of competition between Real Madrid and Barcelona in LaLiga for eleven seasons – with the Argentine scoring eighteen goals against the Spaniard in that time.

There was previously talk of respect between the two when Messi praised Casillas as a ‘legend’ upon his retirement in 2020 after suffering a heart attack.

“Iker is retiring, but his status as a football legend has been secured a long time ago, not only because he was one of the best players in LaLiga, but also because he won everything at international level,” he told AS.

‘You are a fantastic goalkeeper and a very difficult opponent, I must say.

Casillas and Messi competed against each other for more than ten years for Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively

“Looking back, I think it was a very special rivalry that made us reach new levels every time we met.”

Meanwhile, Casillas dubbed Messi ‘The GOAT’ last year.

Messi’s Barcelona oversaw a period of dominance between the two sides as he won LaLiga eight times during Casillas’ time at Madrid, while the Spanish shot-stopper won the title just three times in the same period.

Messi has since moved from Barcelona to PSG, where he added the Ligue 1 and Coupe de France to his trophy collection before his famous World Cup win with Argentina at the 2022 tournament in Qatar.

It was that iconic moment that helped Messi win both the Ballon d’Or and Best Best awards, with the forward gaining the support of more national team captains than Manchester City’s Haaland.

Messi sent Erling Haaland to FIFA’s The Best award after gaining the support of more national team captains

France captain Kylian Mbappe – who finished third with 35 points – opted for Messi despite being rivals with him for the prize, followed by Haaland and Kevin de Bruyne.

And England captain Harry Kane also gave Messi the nod by picking Haaland second and then Man City’s Bernardo Silva third.

Messi was also the name chosen by Belgian captain Romelu Lukaku, Dutch captain Virgil van Dijk, Italian captain Gianluigi Donnarumma and Croatia’s Luka Modric.

It is perhaps no surprise that Portugal captain Pepe – a brave former opponent of Messi from their LaLiga days – snubbed the striker from his top three and instead picked compatriot Bernardo Silva as the winner, followed by Haaland and Victor Osimhen.

However, Haaland did receive the support of some of Man City’s rivals in the Premier League.

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard, his teammate at international level with Norway, gave the forward his first choice.

Man United defender Victor Lindelof, the Sweden captain, put aside the Red Devils’ rivalry with Man City with his selections.

Lindelof placed Haaland above Messi in the voting, while also choosing Silva for his third place.

Messi’s incredible World Cup-winning year saw him triumph over Haaland

Haaland was more popular than Messi among coaches. England boss Gareth Southgate didn’t even name him in his top three, opting for Haaland, Rodri and Silva.

He was also rejected by Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann, who opted for Mbappe, Ilkay Gundogan and Haaland.

Belgian boss Dominic Tedesco also found no place for Messi.

Tedesco went for his star man Kevin de Bruyne, followed by Mbappé and Haaland.