LUCKNOW (CoinChapter.com) — The Argentine Football Association Fan Token (ARG) rallied 45% after football legend Lionel Messi won the FIFA Best Men’s Player award for 2023.
Messi beat Manchester City’s goal machine Erling Haaland and Paris Saint-Germain’s mercurial forward Kylian Mbappe to clinch the trophy for a record seventh time on Monday. The 36-year-old secured 48 total points in the national team coaches and captains worldwide voting. The football legend Messi secured the FIFA Player of the Year Award for the second consecutive time.
This latest achievement capped a momentous 2022 for Messi, who led Argentina to a dramatic World Cup final victory over France in December. His seven goals earned him the Golden Ball for the tournament’s best player. Days later, he celebrated leading Argentina to their first World Cup since 1986 with a heroes’ welcome in Buenos Aires.
This year’s voting period for the coveted men’s honor started after Argentina’s epic World Cup final victory over France on Dec. 18, 2022. It continued until Aug. 20, 2023, encapsulating Messi’s dominant displays in Qatar and initial impressive form in Miami.
Over 45% Surge in ARG Fan Token
On the back of Messi’s winning, ARG rallied 45%. The ARG token is the official fan token of the Argentine national football team. Issued by the Argentine Football Association (AFA) in partnership with blockchain platform Chiliz, it allows fans to engage with the team through voting rights and access to exclusive rewards.
The token’s value soared to $2.19, 320.21% higher than its all-time low price.
Trading volume over the last 24 hours topped $14 million as fans rushed to get their hands on the red-hot token. When the token was created in May 2021, it sold for about $4.30.
Market Cap Nears $100 Million Amidst Messi’s Stellar Year
The AFA Fan Token now boasts a market capitalization nearing $100 million. Over 150,000 ARG holders use the token to vote on team decisions, compete in games and quizzes, and access VIP player experiences.
ARG has appreciated over 750% in the past two months because of the national team’s World Cup victory. With Messi confirming his intention to play at least one more World Cup, the token’s future looks bright.
