International media outlet The Guardian shocked many as they refused Lionel Messi the top spot for best male football player in the world. The publication released its list of the top 100 footballers for 2023 and placed the Ballon d’Or winner in 10th place.

“Messi transformed a Miami team that were bottom of [the league], leading them to the Leagues Cup, the club’s first ever trophy”, wrote Tom Lutz, sports editor for The Guardian in the United States. However, he also called the Argentine star’s competition into question, arguing it was hard to tell whether the achievements came down to Messi’s skill or the Major League Soccer’s quality.

It will be the first time Messi ranks below the top three of the list, first published in 2012 with the Argentine captain being one of the six players who have featured in every ranking since. The result could be called a shock, particularly after the Rosario-born star won his eighth Ballon d’Or, an all-time record.

The difference may reside with timing; the 2022 Ballon d’Or was awarded in October specifically to leave that year’s World Cup outside the deciding factors. It was therefore part of the consideration for the 2023 prize. On the other hand, The Guardian published its list in December and crowned Messi as the best footballer of 2022 — having won the World Cup on December 18.

For 2023, the top three are Manchester City striker Erling Haaland, Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham, and Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappé. Haaland was chosen as the best male player of the year for the 50 goals he’s scored so far, part of a season in which he won the English Premier League, the FA Cup and the UEFA Champions League with the Citizens.

Messi is far from the only Argentine player in the top 100 list. Strikers Lautaro Martínez and Julián Álvarez are placed 13th and 19th respectively, while Emiliano “Dibu” Martínez in 46th and Alexis Mac Allister in 59th. 

Fluminense striker Germán Cano made a surprise appearance in 65th place, the only player without current or recent stints in European football and the only Argentine non-Qatar 2022 winner to make it in the list. Enzo Fernández (82nd), Ángel Di María (83rd), and Cristian Romero (88th) are the remaining Albiceleste representatives.