Portugal boss Roberto Martinez has revealed why he voted for Al Nassr and Croatia midfielder Marcelo Brozovic to win The Best FIFA Men's Player award.
The award was eventually scooped by Lionel Messi ahead of Manchester City star Erling Haaland - but it was certainly a close-run affair.
In third place was PSG's Kylian Mbappe, with Haaland's City team-mate Kevin De Bruyne in fourth and Napoli star Victor Osimhen in fifth.
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Perhaps surprisingly, though, Brozovic received a total of seven votes from the process, which was completed by national team coaches and captains.
Montenegro captain and former City striker Stevan Jovetic was among those to award the midfielder second place in the ballot, with Colombia coach Nestor De Lorenzo doing likewise with his choice.
Martinez, meanwhile, was one of just two representatives - alongside Kosovo head coach Primoz Gliha - to award Brozovic top spot ahead of the likes of Messi and Haaland.
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The award timeframe spans from between December 19, 2022 and August 20, 2023 - not counting the 2022 World Cup. Brozovic signed for Al Nassr in July.
And speaking after the awards ceremony, former Everton boss Martinez, who coached Belgium at the 2022 World Cup, explained the reasoning behind his choice: "Brozovic had a very interesting season and had a very good final in the Champions League. The details of not winning were minimal."
He continued: "It [the vote] represents a style of play that for a team like Croatia during the World Cup was supposed to be preserved on video and shown to future generations. It represents a generation of Croatia."
Brozovic was a key part of the Inter Milan side that reached the final of last season's Champions League, where they lost 1-0 to City in Istanbul.
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He also played an important role in helping Croatia to the World Cup semi-final, despite that tournament not falling within the timeframe to be considered for voting.
He has since become a key player in the Saudi Pro League with Al Nassr, although that may not be enough to earn him a nomination for next year's award.
Featured Image Credit: Twitter / GettyTopics: Roberto Martinez, Belgium, Portugal, FIFA, Football, Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland
