Real Madrid defender David Alaba has explained not voting for teammate Karim Benzema in FIFA's The Best award poll.

Instead, Alaba went with PSG star Leo Messi.

Alaba posted to social media: "In the wake of the FIFA The Best Awards. The Austrian National Team decided the votes for this award as a team, not just me. Anyone on the staff was empowered to vote and so we proceeded.

"Everyone knows, and especially Karim, how much I admire him, as well as his performances. And I have already said on several occasions that for me he is the best striker in the world; that he still is.

"Without a doubt."