Monday night was one of the best moments for some footballing icons and fans across the globe.

The 2022 FIFA Awards, which took place in Paris, saw Argentina forward Lionel Messi emerge as the top men's player in world football.

After the award was handed to the World Cup winner in Paris, FIFA gave some fascinating reading as to who voted for who, with the likes of Harry Kane, Thiago Silva and David Alaba appearing on the list.

https://twitter.com/FIFAWorldCup/status/1630321578444554240?s=20

In regard to this, the Austria captain David Alaba's vote brought the most reaction. The votes show he chose the Les Parisiens star Lionel Messi ahead of his La Casa Blanca colleague Karim Benzema.

Alaba handed his five points to Messi before voting for Benzema in second and Kylian Mbappe in third – a decision that saw the hashtag #AlabaOut trending on social media.

The 30-year-old was racially abused on both his Twitter and Instagram accounts.

However, in the early hours of Tuesday, Alaba released a statement on his Twitter page explaining his decision to vote for Messi.

"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," he said.

"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."

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

— David Alaba (@David_Alaba) February 28, 2023

Despite Alaba's statement, there have been mixed reactions from football fans across the globe. Some comments say the Madrid defender did no wrong in voting for Messi.

There is no need to Rac1ally abuse Alaba for his opinion. He backstabbed Benzema we all know it, now move on.

I wish Barca fans should’ve come out for rac1sm against Vini in the same way. But according to them rac1sm against Vini is justified. Hypocrites.

— Dr Yash  (@YashRMFC) February 28, 2023

Can’t believe they’re racially abusing Alaba for choosing Messi as his Goat, shameless fanbase. pic.twitter.com/KnmsdHfz2m

— Kobby Founda🇬🇭 (@Founda__) February 28, 2023

Who in his right senses go pick Benzema over Messi? Alaba made the right choice. Free him!!

— RuF🦅🦅 (@Ruf_ayi) February 28, 2023

Alaba voted for the BEST, the GOAT 🐐 and this Madrid dogs are abusing him calling him monkey 🐒 and all that. inhumane souls . stay strong #ALABA pic.twitter.com/fIYJZgiqEs

— S.A® (@kwekubills) February 28, 2023

But what did Alaba do wrong here? I’m not a fan of Messi but there’s no way I will choose Benzema over Messi😂😂

— DEAR GOD🇬🇭❤️ (@mrlamar01) February 28, 2023

It’s now clear that “hate Messi” is always in the contract of Real Madrid players…..We stand with you Alaba

— Essel (@thatEsselguy) February 28, 2023

Other comments insist that Alaba had the chance to vote for his teammate Benzema but chose not to. They say the 30-year-old showed no love.

Alaba voted for Messi instead of his team mate Benzema and you think it’s not a big deal ???
Bro is a snake

— KWASI GAZY (@Kwasigazy) February 28, 2023

I am against any kind of abuse & racism David Alaba receiving right now. Those people should be ashamed of themselves.

But I'm disappointed after seeing Alaba's votes. I know it's his opinion but if you're not going to support your own teammate then who will? pic.twitter.com/URJCvO680N

— Sangram (@Sangram2398) February 28, 2023

This snake should be booted out of my Team.. He does not deserve to wear the royal white jersey....#alaba #alaba_out #AlabaOut pic.twitter.com/1GZZmUs4hH

— CollinsNG 🇳🇬 (@collyweezy) February 28, 2023

You always don't see the snakes from behind. Alaba Just proved that. pic.twitter.com/PWFbAeG9iu

— Twilight (@the_marcoli_boy) February 28, 2023

We actually had to make Alaba issue an apology after voting for Messi in the Best awards 🤣🤣🤣 what a shit fanbase

— 🫵🏽 (@idoxvi) February 28, 2023

Maguire is currently better than Alaba . We need a swap deal . This fraud is just a snake . pic.twitter.com/XfwDztgTCm

— GHANA DENVER #RTTJ🦍 (@gh_Denver) February 28, 2023

Lionel Messi took the top spot with 52 points. France striker and PSG forward Kylian Mbappe came in second with 44 points and Karim Benzema was placed third with 34 points.

According to Fifa Alvarez was better than Vinicius last season pic.twitter.com/v9BuW5MgPP

— KALYJAY (@gyaigyimii) February 27, 2023

The ceremony was FIFA's seventh award in Paris, and Messi made history after receiving his second FIFA Men's Player 2022 award.

"It's amazing. It's an honour for me to be here tonight and win this award," said the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner.

"Without my teammates, I wouldn't be here. It was an amazing year and I achieved the dream that I've been hoping for so long and finally, I managed to achieve it.

"It [the World Cup] is the most wonderful thing that's happened to me in my career", Messi said.

Full list of 2022 FIFA Award winners.

• Special Recognition Award

Marcia Aoki accepted the Special Recognition Award for the late football legend Pele at the Best FIFA Football Awards.

• Puskas Award

The FIFA Puskas Award is generally presented to a footballer who scores the most beautiful goal. This year the award was presented to Marcin Oleksy.

https://twitter.com/FIFAWorldCup/status/1630305913889255424?s=20

• Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper Award

Mary Earps of England, who won the Euro, received the Best Women's Goalkeeper Award out of the three nominations.

https://twitter.com/FIFAWWC/status/1630303122848460804?s=20

• Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper Award

Emiliano Martinez of Argentina, who won the World Cup, was awarded FIFA Men’s Best Goalkeeper of the Year.

https://twitter.com/FIFAWorldCup/status/1630304205620609028?s=20

• Best FIFA Women’s Player Award

Alexia Putellas, a standout for Barcelona and Spain, was awarded The Best FIFA Women's Player at the FIFA Awards ceremony on Monday in Paris.

https://twitter.com/FIFAWWC/status/1630319588788379651?s=20

• Best FIFA Men’s Player Award

Lionel Messi was awarded FIFA Best Men’s Player of the Year following Argentina’s World Cup victory in December in Qatar.

https://twitter.com/FIFAWorldCup/status/1630321578444554240?s=20

• Best FIFA Women’s Coach Award

Sarina Wiegman, who had guided the Netherlands to European glory in the year 2017 won the FIFA Women's Coach Award.

https://twitter.com/FIFAWWC/status/1630307663924822019?s=20

• Best FIFA Men’s Coach Award

Lionel Scaloni, Aregntina’s world-cup-winning coach was presented with the Best FIFA Men’s Coach Award.

https://twitter.com/FIFAWorldCup/status/1630309190995435520?s=20

• FIFA Fair Play Award

The FIFA Fair Play Award was given to Georgian footballer Luka Lochoshvili for his life-saving actions during an Austrian Bundesliga game.

https://twitter.com/FIFAWorldCup/status/1630311322280755204?s=20

• Best FIFA Fan Award

The Argentinian National Team fans, who travelled to Qatar in astounding numbers to show tremendous support for their team's ultimately successful FIFA World Cup campaign, were given the Best FIFA Fan Award.

https://twitter.com/FIFAWorldCup/status/1630312544370827264?s=20

• FIFA FIFPRO Women’s World 11

Some of the winners of the FIFA FIFPRO Women’s World 11 were: Christiane Endler (Olympique Lyonnais, Chile), Wendie Renard (Olympique Lyonnais, France), Alexia Putellas (Barcelona, Spain), Sam Kerr (Chelsea, Australia).

https://twitter.com/FIFPRO/status/1630315514588278791?s=20

• FIFA FIFPRO Men’s World 11

Some of the winners of the FIFPRO Men’s World 11 were: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool, Netherlands), Casemiro (Real Madrid/Manchester United, Brazil), Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain, Morocco), Luka Modric (Real Madrid, Croatia), Lionel Messi (Paris Saint-Germain, Argentina).

https://twitter.com/FIFPRO/status/1630317269531217922?s=20