Statistical Analysis: Why Messi's Omission from FIFA's Best is an Absolute Mockery of Football

#4 Tackles, interceptions, and aerial duels

Modric dominates the tackles and interceptions, making a combined 2.5 per game. Messi is second with 0.8, followed by Salah and Ronaldo. Owing to an orthodox midfield position, the Croatian expectedly trumps this aspect.

Coming to aerial duels, there's only one winner. Ronaldo contests 2.7 aerial duels per game and wins 54% of them. These are mammoth numbers compared to the other three, but guess who's second. Yes, it's Messi(!), winning 36% per cent of his duels.

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Conclusion

In the shooting department, Salah arguably trumps Messi, albeit closely. Considering dribbling, Messi is out there on his own, with no real competition from the other three. In passing numbers, Modric stakes his claim but Messi's creativity tilts the balance in his favour.

Comparing Messi to Ronaldo and Salah is easier due to their similar positions and roles in their teams. But Modric plays a different role altogether which brings some subjectivity into play.

The Croatian was a vital part of both his national side and club, who reached the World Cup final and won the Champions League respectively. But putting aside the narrative and considering the qualities he brings on the pitch, it is hard to assert that he contributes more to the team than Messi.

Another notion which surrounds Messi is his subpar performances in the Champions League and the World Cup. Firstly, he scored 6 and assisted 2 goals in his 8 Champions League appearances, which is definitely not a bad showing. As for the World Cup, he clearly underperformed. But are 4 matches under an erratic coach and a substandard team enough to wipe out a season of unbelievable performances? I think not.

As I said at the beginning of this narrative, I am biased towards this magical Argentinian who has provided me with uncountable blissful moments which are second to none. But I have tried to construct an objective argument as to why Messi's absence from the nominees is a travesty.

The three nominees have had unbelievable seasons, no doubt. But Messi has arguably bettered them. Perhaps he is held to such a high standard that it is ironically proving to be his downfall. Whatever the reason may be, discarding Messi is a shocking decision and the personnel responsible should be looking at themselves in the mirror.

The nominees for the Best Goalkeeper award are Kasper Schmeichel, Thibaut Courtois, and Hugo Lloris - which raised the question that is FIFA sacrificing integrity to promote their brand? These three goalkeepers had great moments in the World Cup but the likes of David De Dea and Marc-Andre ter Stegen are better goalkeepers.

Incidents like these raise the question that are these individual awards to be taken seriously at all? You're better than this FIFA. Let's hope that the Ballon d'Or guys take their job more seriously.