Messi, a Character in a Romanian Electoral Joke

Argentinian Leo Messi won the award for the best player of the year 2023 at the FIFA The Best Gala, becoming a significant subject of jokes, both in old-fashioned words and new-fashioned collages. Like in a Romanian electoral joke from over two decades ago, where Ion Iliescu was voted president because he was... the incumbent president, Messi is voted the best football player of the year because he was the best player of the previous year. Photo manipulations of Messi in a suit receiving the Player of the Year trophy no longer seem so absurd after journalists, national team managers, and team captains voted this year for a performance that should no longer have mattered in their choice (Argentina's victory in the 2022 World Cup final). The global press reacted critically, even Messi's fans don't quite understand the decision, and they smile awkwardly.

Moreover, the victory was "after extra time"; the Argentinian was tied in points with Norwegian Haaland, but the balance was tilted by the regulations, with Messi receiving more votes from national team captains. Without having any fault, the great player found himself dragged into a scandal that affects his image and the end of his career. Not to mention the "bad blood" brewing with his great rival, Cristiano Ronaldo, who is just as innocent in this story.

The moment was partially saved by Messi himself, who did not attend the ceremony, and the trophy was lifted by former great footballer Thierry Henry, the gala's presenter. One thing is becoming clearer, in front of the ballot boxes, people often lose their clear thinking and produce all sorts of entanglements, big or small, depending on the choices they have to make.