Lionel Messi, captain of the Argentina national team and one of football's all-time greats, has revealed his voting selections for the prestigious The Best FIFA Men's Player award, and one unexpected omission is drawing plenty of attention.

While Messi's top choices reflected respect for established stars, some fans were surprised that he did not include rising Spanish sensation Lamine Yamal among his picks.

Messi's revealed ballot shows that he awarded his firstplace vote, worth five points, to Lamine Yamal, a highly promising young winger who has taken the football world by storm with his electrifying dribbling and creativity.

The teenager, representing FC Barcelona and Spain, has been touted as one of the brightest prospects in the game, earning acclaim for his performances at both club and international levels.

Despite Yamal landing Messi's top vote, the more intriguing story from Messi's ballot lies in who was excluded from his selections.

Although Messi's fivepoint pick affirmed his regard for Yamal's talent, two other elite players, widely expected to feature on many ballots, did not make the cut in Messi's top three.

Instead, Messi selected Kylian Mbappé in second (three points) and Vinícius Júnior in third (one point), leaving out several big names, a decision that has sparked debate among supporters and analysts alike.

This voting pattern underlines how Messi values a balance between youthful flair and proven excellence.

Yamal's inclusion as Messi's first choice highlights the respect he commands among established legends, particularly given his role in Barcelona's dynamic attack and his breakthrough performances on the international stage.

Yet Messi's decision to omit other widely recognised performers from his shortlist adds an unexpected twist to The Best award narrative.

Why Messi's picks matter in global football

The Best FIFA Men's Player award is determined by a voting process involving nationalteam coaches, captains, journalists, and fans.

Each voter ranks their top three players, and the aggregated points decide the winner. Messi's selections carry significant weight not just because of his status in the sport, but because they offer insight into how elite peers view contemporary football talent.

Yamal's rapid rise has been one of the most talkedabout stories of recent seasons. Emerging from Barcelona's famed La Masia academy, the Spanish teenager has electrified fans with blistering pace, confidence on the ball, and an attacking instinct beyond his years.

At just 16 years old, Yamal has already become integral to both club and country, performing on some of the sport's biggest stages, including the European Championships and La Liga.

By topping Messi's ballot, Yamal earned a significant endorsement that may further boost his standing in world football circles.

Meanwhile, Messi's other picks, Mbappé and Vinícius Jr., reflect an understanding of established elite performance.

Mbappé's continued excellence for both club and country has made him a consistent presence in award discussions, while Vinícius's instrumental role in Real Madrid's domestic and European successes has cemented him as one of world football's most influential attacking talents.

Messi's voting approach illustrates a nuanced appreciation of both emerging talent and proven achievements.

Even though some ballots focus strictly on team honours like Champions League or league titles, Messi's picks appear to strike a personal balance, rewarding big moments and individual brilliance in different forms.

As award season continues to unfold, all eyes will remain on how these selections influence final outcomes and broader discussions about the future stars of football, and whether Yamal's early backing from a legend like Messi is a harbinger of lasting impact in the game.