Lionel Messi's true colours revealed with The Best FIFA Men's Player vote | OneFootball

Lionel Messi did not vote for Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior as his top candidate to win The Best FIFA Men's Player award, instead throwing his support behind Barcelona star Lamine Yamal instead.

Vinicius, who was disappointed not to beat Rodri to the Ballon d'Or award earlier this season, managed his own crowning moment as he picked up this trophy, which is voted for by international captains, managers and media representatives.

The Real Madrid star dominated the vote when it came to captains, picking up 617 points compared to Rodri's 373, but he only picked up one of those points from Messi as the Argentina superstar had Vinicius down in third.

Messi placed Madrid teammate Kylian Mbappe in second but awarded his full five points to Yamal, who ended up finishing fifth in the voting.

Messi was one of just ten captains to put Yamal in first, alongside those from Afghanistan, American Samoa, Bahamas, Botswana, Brunei, Honduras, Seychelles, Thailand and Uzbekistan.

The Inter Miami star made clear his love for Yamal after the latter picked up the Golden Boy award last month in a joint message to Barcelona Femeni starlet Vicky Lopez, who won the Golden Girl prize.

"Lamine, Vicky: this award is the result not only of talent but of hard work and sacrifice," Messi said. "It is an honour that you are part of Messi+10. Congratulations and keep it up."