Lionel Messi has won this year's Best FIFA Men's Player award, defeating Portuguese-born Cristiano Ronaldo from Italy’s FC Juventus as well as the Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk from England’s FC Liverpool.
In the 2018-2019 season, Messi scored 51 goals in Barcelona’s 50 matches.
This is a record sixth Best FIFA Men's Player award for Messi, who also received the prize in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2015. Cristiano Ronaldo won this award five times.
Argentina and Barcelona forward Lionel Messi (C) is presented by FIFA President Gianni Infantino (L) with the trophy for the Best FIFA Men's Player of 2019 Award, during The Best FIFA Football Awards ceremony, on 23 September 2019 in Milan.
Teatro alla Scala's ballet company and students perform during The Best FIFA Football Awards ceremony, on 23 September 2019 in Milan.
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© AP Photo / Luca Bruno
Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos arrives with his partner Pilar Rubio to attend the Best FIFA soccer awards, in Milan's La Scala theater, northern Italy, Monday, 23 Sept. 2019. Netherlands defender Virgil van Dijk is up against five-time winners Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi for the FIFA best player award and United States forward Megan Rapinoe is the favorite for the women's award.
Soccer Football - The Best FIFA Football Awards - Teatro alla Scala, Milan, Italy - 23 September 2019 General view before the start of the awards
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© AP Photo / Antonio Calanni
United States women's World Cup winning coach Jill Ellis and United States forward Megan Rapinoe pose after they received the Best FIFA coach award , best FIFA men's , Women's player award during the Best FIFA soccer awards ceremony, in Milan's La Scala theater, northern Italy, Monday, 23 Sept. 2019.
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© AP Photo / Luca Bruno
Brazilian player Marcelo, center, arrives with his partner Clarice Alves and their sons Enzo Gattuso Alves Vieria, second from left, and Liam to attend the Best FIFA soccer awards, in Milan's La Scala theater, northern Italy, Monday, 23 Sept. 2019. Netherlands defender Virgil van Dijk is up against five-time winners Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi for the FIFA best player award and United States forward Megan Rapinoe is the favorite for the women's award.
Soccer Football - The Best FIFA Football Awards - Teatro alla Scala, Milan, Italy - 23 September 2019 Performers before the start of the awards
Best FIFA Men's Player of 2019, Argentina and Barcelona forward Lionel Messi (L), reacts with his children, as Best FIFA Women's Player of 2019, US and Reign FC midfielder Megan Rapinoe (C) and Best FIFA Women's Coach of 2019, USA head coach Jill Ellis (R) look on at the end of The Best FIFA Football Awards ceremony, on 23 September 2019 in Milan.
An opera singer (R) performs on stage during The Best FIFA Football Awards ceremony, on 23 September 2019 at Teatro alla Scala in Milan.
Durch player Frenkie de Jong, Paris Saint-Germain and France forward Kylian Mbappe, Argentina and Barcelona forward Lionel Messi, Real Madrid and Croatia midfielder Luka Modric, Brazil and Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker, Netherlands and Juventus defender, Matthijs de Ligt, Spain and Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos, Netherlands and Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk, Brazilian and Real Madrid defender Marcelo and Belgium and Real Madrid forward, Eden Hazard pose during the presentation of the FIFA FIFPRO World Men Eleven team during The Best FIFA Football Awards ceremony, on 23 September 2019 in Milan.
Soccer Football - The Best FIFA Football Awards - Teatro alla Scala, Milan, Italy - 23 September 2019 Presenter's Ilaria D’Amico and Ruud Gullit during the awards
Best FIFA Men's Player of 2019, Argentina and Barcelona forward Lionel Messi poses with his wife Antonella Roccuzzo Messi and their children at the end of The Best FIFA Football Awards ceremony, on 23 September 2019 in Milan.
