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Barcelona captain Lionel Messi saw off competition from Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk and Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo to be named FIFA’s Best Men’s Player for 2019.
It is a deserved award for the Argentine who enjoyed another prolific campaign last year, finishing as Europe’s top goalscorer and helping Barcelona retain their La Liga title.
Congratulations, #LeoMessi
— #TheBest (@FIFAcom) September 23, 2019
Winner of #TheBest FIFA Men's Player 2019 #TheBest | #FIFAFootballAwards pic.twitter.com/MKh2wV5T1M
Messi has now won the award six times in his career, more than any other player, and it would be little surprise if he won it a few more times before hanging up his boots.
It was also a good night for Barca team-mate Frenkie de Jong. The Dutch star was named in the FIFPro Men’s World XI of 2019.
@FIFPro together with @FIFAcom proudly presents the Men’s #World11 of 2019!
— FIFPRO (@FIFPro) September 23, 2019
Congratulations to all! Well deserved!
Read more here https://t.co/LR4DYYHZXA#TheBestAwards #OneStage pic.twitter.com/TZ4RDvcBPr
The best men’s coach award went to Liverpool Jurgen Klopp, while Reds stopper Alisson took top goalkeeper ahead of Ederson and Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Meanwhile, Messi was beaten to the Puskas Award by 18-year-old Daniel Zsori and his 93rd-minute overhead kick for Debrecen against Ferencvaros.