Lionel Messi named Best FIFA Men’s Player 2019

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.

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.

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.