Alaba: I didn’t choose Messi over Benzema, the whole national team votes
The defender revealed that he keeps the famous Champions League comeback chair at home
Real Madrid defender David Alaba has had to explain his voting choice after it was revealed that he elected for Lionel Messi over his Los Blancos teammate Karim Benzema for the 2022 FIFA Best Award.
The Austrian international was forced to explain why he voted for the Argentinian star ahead of the French striker after he was subject to unwarranted backlash on social media.
“Regarding FIFA The Best Award: The Austrian national team vote for this award as a team, not me alone,” Alaba told the press ahead of Real Madrid’s tie with Chelsea.
“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.”
What happened to the famous white chair?
The Real Madrid man also discussed the famous white chair that was involved in his epic celebration of a Real Madrid goal against PSG during last season’s Champions League run.
“The celebration was because of a situation that was very special,” Alaba said.
“I can confirm that they gave the chair to me and I have it at home.”
Real Madrid and Chelsea meet again in the quarter-finals
As Real Madrid prepare to face Chelsea in their quarter-final of the Champions League, the defender commented on facing the London club at the same stage in two consecutive seasons.
“We won’t underestimate Chelsea, we know that they still have a great squad,” Alaba said.
“They are a great team and we have to be focused, from the first minute.
“Maybe with the changes they’ve done in the past week, they can do something. I don’t think that they will be afraid.”
