Hyderabad: Social media users are claiming that footballer Lionel Messi refused to take the award as Benzema deserves it more.
Lionel Messi was awarded the best FIFA player for 2022.
Social media users are now claiming that Messi returned the award after a few moments.
Fact Check
NewsMeter found the claim to be false.
By performing a simple reverse image search using the keyframes from the viral video, we found an extended version of the entire FIFA award event on the official YouTube channel of Forbes Middle East dated 28 February 2023.
On carefully analyzing the video, we found that it was the same footage.
For further confirmation, the same can also be seen in another Youtube video as well.
Moreover, we could not find any report about Messi returning or refusing the FIFA award on any credible media outlet.
Through the above investigation, it is evident that the viral video is merely a re-verification of the original video.