On January 16, the annual FIFA awards ceremony concluded with Messi winning the 2023 FIFA World Player of the Year. Notably, the top three players—Messi, Haaland, and Mbappé—who are all contenders for the award, did not attend the ceremony.

The scene at the ceremony showed a brief moment where no one stepped forward to collect the trophy after its announcement, creating an awkward silence.

Standing on stage were hosts Henry and journalist Jodi. In that moment of uncertainty, Henry picked up the trophy and spoke briefly in hopes of alleviating the awkwardness.