Arrascaeta crowned King of America after pipping Messi to El País award | OneFootball

Flamengo playmaker Arrascaeta has been named Rei da América by El País after a standout season, collecting the award in Punta del Este, Uruguay. According to Coluna Do Fla, he was recognised as the continent’s best player ahead of Lionel Messi.

Arrascaeta said he had known he was among three finalists and that facing Messi, widely regarded as the world’s best, made the accolade even more special. He added he was already content with a truly magical year at Flamengo.

He described the prize as a source of pride, noting it had been 10 years since Pato last lifted it. He credited the team’s hard work and said he would celebrate with team-mates and family.

Arrascaeta received 179 of 264 votes, Messi placed second with 39, and Adrián “Maravilla” Martínez of Racing (ARG) was third on 12.

The award recognises the best footballer playing in the Americas each year. Messi, an eight-time winner of the world’s best player award, has never taken this prize, having spent most of his career in Europe.

Arrascaeta becomes the fifth Flamengo player to take the honour, following Zico in 1977, 81 and 82, Bebeto in 89, Gabigol in 2019 and Pedro in 2022. He had previously finished third in 2019 and second in 2022, and team-mates Rossi, Danilo, Pedro and Bruno Henrique also made the top 10.

The election draws ballots from 250 journalists across the continent each year.

Source: Coluna Do Fla