Messi wins FIFA player of the year award for the sixth time

Lionel Messi has won the FIFA Men’s Player of the Year award by beating rival Cristiano Ronaldo who was absent from the star-studded ceremony in Milan’s iconic La Scala Opera House on Monday.

“I want to thank those who decided to give me this recognition,” said Messi.

“The most important thing for me is the collective awards, but today is also a very special night for me.”

It is the first time that Messi has won the FIFA Best Award which was created in 2016. Ronaldo won for 2016 and 2017, with Croatian Luka Modric beating both last years.

Read More : Luka Modric wins FIFA best player of the year award!

Barcelona striker Messi’s victory came as a surprise as he edged out Virgil Van Dijk, who had won the UEFA player’s award last month after helping Liverpool to the Champions League last season.

Both Messi, 32, and Van Dijk, 28, are now in the running for the coveted Ballon d’Or which will be announced on December 2.

Meanwhile, Megan Rapinoe was rewarded at the FIFA Best awards for leading the United States to the women’s World Cup title in July, as was Jill Ellis who won the women’s coach award.

Jurgen Klopp pipped Pep Guardiola to win The Best FIFA Men’s Coach. Klopp steered Liverpool to Champions League glory back in June, while they also finished on 97 points in the Premier League, one point behind champions Manchester City.

The Best FIFA Women’s Coach was a battle between three international managers, and it was no surprise to see World Cup-winning coach Ellis come out victorious over England’s Phil Neville and the Netherlands’ Sarina Wiegman.

Romanian-born Hungarian forward Daniel Zsori won the Fifa Puskas Award for the best goal, beating strikes from Messi and Juan Fernando Quintero.