The world of football has always been fertile ground for inspiring stories, but at the same time, it is not without controversy and accusations. Perhaps the question echoing in some sports cafes, analysis studios, and social media platforms is: Does FIFA favor the Argentine star Lionel Messi?

This question did not come out of nowhere; it is fueled by a feeling among some fans that the Argentine 'Flea' receives preferential treatment and moral authority inside and outside the pitch, crowned with numerous individual awards that some believe others were more deserving of in certain years. But is it really favoritism, or a complex equation where emotion intertwines with industry and investment?

FIFA is not just a sports federation; it is a giant commercial enterprise managing a multi-billion dollar industry. In the world of business and finance, every product needs a shiny brand to attract investors, sponsors, and fans.

Messi is not just a footballer; he is the biggest living brand in the history of sports. Messi's presence in any event, or his winning of any award, means millions of extra views, multiplied sponsorship and advertising contracts, and the passion of an entire generation of youth to follow the game and buy its jerseys. For FIFA, Messi's continued presence at the top means a continued flow of profits and ensuring the global appeal of the game.

Football always seeks a king to sit on its throne and become the face of the game across generations (like Pelé and Maradona before). Messi - with his magical style and relatively quiet personality far from scandals - represents the ideal image that FIFA wants to export to the world as a sporting role model.

Messi's winning of the World Cup in Qatar (2022) gave football the perfect Hollywood ending that fans and officials dreamed of. This legendary image is what FIFA tries to maintain and always showcase, because it enhances the spiritual and historical value of the international federation's tournaments.

Critics confuse FIFA's favoritism with the vote of the football community. Awards like The Best, the Ballon d'Or, or FIFA awards in general, rely largely on votes from national team coaches and captains, as well as journalists. These voters are human, influenced by the player's historical aura. When Messi's name appears on the list of nominees, the voter does not only look at the current season's statistics but sometimes votes for 'historical Messi'. This overwhelming respect from his peers and coaches on the pitch automatically turns into voting points that make him appear as if he wins by favoritism, while he actually wins by the weight of his name and history.

It cannot be denied that this immense moral and promotional support for Messi has overshadowed other players who had exceptional seasons. At those moments, the neutral fan sees a lack of strict fairness criteria in favor of charisma and popular influence.

What some call favoritism, marketing and investment experts see as marketing intelligence and sales genius, and romantic football fans see as a fair crowning of the finest talent in history. And FIFA does not favor Messi for his person alone, but favors in him its image, its profits, and the beautiful story it wants billions of people to continue believing in and being passionate about: the story that football can still produce wizards, creators, and stars.

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- Writer from Jordan