Austria captain David Alaba has explained why he voted for Lionel Messi ahead of Real Madrid team-mate Karim Benzema at The Best FIFA awards after receiving racial abuse.
Alaba was targeted with messages and emojis sent to his social media accounts after his vote went to Argentina's World Cup-winning captain Messi rather than his Real Madrid team-mate Benzema in the polling for the men's player of the year award.
Messi was confirmed as the winner of the prize at a ceremony in Paris on Monday ahead of France strikers Kylian Mbappe and Benzema.
Austria captain Alaba has pointed out that he was voting on behalf of his national team, not simply in a personal capacity, and the majority preference was for Messi.
The 30-year-old tweeted: "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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