Austria captain, David Alaba, has come out to explain why he voted for Lionel Messi in FIFA’s “The Best” awards ahead of Real Madrid teammate Karim Benzema.

The 30-year-old defender says the national team decides as a whole on who to vote for after being abused on social media for voting for the Argentine superstar.

Alaba voted Messi in first place, with Benzema coming second and Kylian Mbappe in third.

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This has prompted wild abuse from Real Madrid fans as to why he didn’t vote for his teammate in the poll, calling for his ousting from the club.

The former Bayern Munich star took to Instagram to explain himself, saying he adores Benzema, and the Frenchman knows that.

“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 and I have often said that for me he is the best striker in the world, and that is still the case. Without doubt.”

David Alaba and Karim Benzema have been playing together for the past 18 months after the Austrain joined from Bayern Munich as a free agent..