The Austrian captain clarifies his team’s collective decision after facing racist abuse for not supporting Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema.

David Alaba has spoken out after receiving a wave of racist abuse online following Austria’s FIFA Best Award vote, which went to Lionel Messi instead of his Real Madrid teammate Karim Benzema. The defender clarified that the decision was made collectively by the Austrian national team, not by him alone.

Messi claimed the FIFA Men’s Player of the Year title during the Paris ceremony, a win that followed his historic leadership of Argentina to their World Cup triumph. Benzema, who won the Ballon d’Or last year, and Kylian Mbappé were also shortlisted for the prestigious award, with both included in the FIFA Men’s World XI.

The voting process involves contributions from national team coaches, captains, journalists, and fans worldwide. When Austria’s vote for Messi came to light, some Real Madrid supporters were quick to criticise Alaba, with many resorting to racist comments.

In response, the 30-year-old took to Twitter to provide clarity:
“The Austrian national team’s vote is a collective decision, not mine alone. The team council discusses and agrees on our choice before submitting it,” Alaba explained.

He added, “Karim knows how highly I regard him. I’ve always said he’s the best striker in the world, and that hasn’t changed. My admiration for his performances remains steadfast.”

Alaba’s statement sought to emphasise both the democratic nature of the voting process within his national team and his unwavering respect for Benzema, despite the controversy surrounding the final decision.

This incident has once again highlighted the challenges athletes face on social media and the ongoing need to combat racism within the sport.