Real Madrid star David Alaba has copped fan apoplexy from raging Madridistas after it was revealed he committed the cardinal sin of voting for Lionel Messi as the world's best player.
The Barcelona icon was saluted at FIFA's The Best awards on Monday as he was once again named No.1 on the planet after his heroics with Argentina in the World Cup Final. And Alaba risked the wrath of his club's supporters after the results were released and he had plumped for Messi over team-mates Vinicius and Karim Benzema.
Messi and great rival Cristiano Ronaldo were at loggerheads for years for the top individual awards and it was omerta to vote for a rival. Messi now turns out for Paris Saint-Germain but fans were left miffed when it was revealed Austria captain Alaba had thrown his weight behind Messi.
However, not is all as it seems and the caveat could spare the versatile defender at least some flak when he next stars for Real Madrid. It turns out the decision is made as a national team with Alaba's name attached.
And he moved quickly on Tuesday to clear his name, he said: "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."
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