FC Barcelona's official reason for Lionel Messi and his teammates snubbing the FIFA awards gala was to focus on their next game, but it has now surprisingly been claimed that the players wanted to send a message to their own club's bosses.
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Messi – who had been nominated for The Best Men's Player in 2016 award, which was picked up by Cristiano Ronaldo – Gerard Pique, Andres Iniesta and Luis Suarez were selected for the 2016 FIFA FIFPro World XI, but did not attend the gala.
The Catalan giants' official excuse was to focus on the important Copa del Rey clash against Athletic Bilbao, who won the first leg 2-1. However, an article in Spanish publication Marca has now suggested another controversial reason.
"Captain Andres Iniesta personally phoned Real Madrid's players to apologise for it," Marca's Jose Felix Diaz wrote.
"Barcelona directors did attend 'The Best' ceremony in Zurich, although the players did not, with the club insisting that it was due to preparations for their upcoming domestic games.
"During his call to Real Madrid's players, Iniesta made it clear that the decision had nothing to do with them and was due to differences with their own club's hierarchy."
There is no word as to why the players would be upset with club president Josep Maria Bartomeu and his board.
Meanwhile, Messi's rival Ronaldo could not resist sending a jibe at the absentees during his acceptance speech.
"I'm just very happy. I'm sorry some people from Barcelona aren't here, but that's understandable," he said, as quoted by the Daily Mail.
Real captain Sergio Ramos also appeared to be annoyed with the absence of the Barca stars.
"It is a bit strange. Two are my Spain teammates, and my friends. They will have their reasons," he told ESPN.
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Barcelona will hope the negativity around their awards snub does not affect the players' performances against Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday night, otherwise the defending champions could be knocked out of the Copa del Rey.
Why do you think Messi and company snubbed the FIFA awards gala? Have your say in the comments section below.
