Lionel Messi included Ibrahim Maza in his personal ballot for the top three players under 21 years old. The Argentina captain ranked the player third on his list. Ibrahim Maza ultimately finished in ninth place in the final standings for the best young player award. The recognition from Lionel Messi occurred during the official voting process for the annual accolade. Ibrahim Maza secured his position among the top ten young talents globally as confirmed by the final rankings.
Messi's Top Young Talents
Lionel Messi placed Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsí above Ibrahim Maza within his personal ballot for the top three players under 21 years old. These selections formed part of the official voting process for the annual accolade. Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsí occupied the top two spots on the Argentina captain’s list. Ibrahim Maza held the third position in the submission provided by Lionel Messi. The rankings reflected the individual preferences of the voter during the assessment of global youth talent. While Ibrahim Maza attained ninth place in the final standings, Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsí remained the primary choices for the Argentina forward. These players represented the specific young athletes selected by Lionel Messi for his ranking.
Historic Achievement for Algeria
Ibrahim Maza holds the distinction of being the first Algerian player in history to be included in the list of ten nominees for the best young player of the season award. This nomination marked a significant milestone for Algerian football on the international stage. The selection committee recognized his contributions alongside other global talents, placing him within the top tier of young athletes competing for the annual accolade.
Argentina defeated Algeria 3-0 during the group stage of the 2026 World Cup. This match represented a encounter between the two national teams during the tournament. The performance of the Argentina squad throughout the group phase served to define their trajectory in the competition.
Lionel Messi scored three goals during the match between Argentina and Algeria in the 2026 World Cup. His hat-trick secured the victory for his team and impacted the final outcome of the group stage fixture. These goals were recorded as part of the official statistics for the tournament.
