Revealed: Who Christian Pulisic & Gregg Berhalter voted for at The Best awards – with USMNT coach making Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi his third choice

The Argentine icon has made history by landing The Best Men’s Player Award for a third time, with the 2022 World Cup winner already the recipient of eight Ballons d’Or. He continues to be recognised as the finest player on the planet, with another prestigious gong added to his stunning roll of honour.

Messi finished level on points with Manchester City striker Erling Haaland in the 2023 Best vote, but emerged victorious as more international team captains ranked him in first place on their polling cards. USMNT star Pulisic – who is now playing his club football at AC Milan – falls into that category, having gone with Messi ahead of Kylian Mbappe and Haaland.

Berhalter sprung a surprise, though, by only ranking Messi in third spot. He put prolific Norwegian frontman Haaland ahead of the mercurial South America, but handed first place to City midfielder Rodri – with the Spanish star having netted the Champions League-winning goal which wrapped up a historic Treble triumph for Pep Guardiola’s side in 2022-23.

The United States are preparing to lock horns with Messi in 2024, as Argentina count down the days to a Copa America title defence that will take place on American soil. The U.S. media also snubbed him in their FIFA Best vote, with the 36-year-old playmaker placed second there behind Haaland and ahead of Mbappe.