The world football governing body FIFA has released the breakdown of how national team captains voted for the Best Men’s player award which Lionel Messi won ahead of Virgil Van Dijk and Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Barcelona star picked up his sixth FIFA player of the year award at the La Scala Opera house in Milan, Italy. Messi’s latest win put him ahead of his arch-rival Ronaldo who has won the award five times.
After the award ceremony, FIFA revealed how national team captains voted including that of Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa.
In the breakdown that was released by the world football governing body, Ahmed Musa voted Messi in first place, followed by Cristiano Ronaldo in second place while Liverpool’s Mo Salah completed his final three.
France captain, Hugo Lloris also voted the Barcelona star as his number one choice, followed by Cristiano Ronaldo who was in second place, while national teammate, Kylian Mbappe was the Tottenham’s shot-stopper’s third choice.
🏆 #TheBest FIFA Men's Player 2019
🥇 #LeoMessi
🥈 #VirgilVanDijk
🥉 #CristianoRonaldo #TheBest | #FIFAFootballAwards pic.twitter.com/cObUfjeDYG— FIFA (@FIFAcom) September 23, 2019
ℹ️ Full breakdown of voting results here: https://t.co/k4PksekZaJ#TheBest | #FIFAFootballAwards pic.twitter.com/cymNNO4lft
— FIFA (@FIFAcom) September 23, 2019
England captain, Harry Kane voted for Lionel Messi in first place, Virgil Van Dijk in second, while Cristiano Ronaldo was his third choice.
Following the complete breakdown votes from fans, national team captains, national team managers and journalists, Messi had 46 points, beating Van Dijk who managed 38 points, while Cristiano Ronaldo got 36 points.
Liverpool star Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane completed the rest of the top five with 26 and 23 points respectively.
