FIFA Football Awards 2019
From Jurgen Klopp to Sari Van Veenendaal, the full list of winners & FIFA World XI Teams
Milan, September 24 (Reuters): Argentine Lionel Messi beat Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk and five-time winner Cristiano Ronaldo to win the best FIFA player of the year award for a record sixth time on Monday.
Messi, who won the Spanish La Liga title with Barcelona last season as well as the European golden boot having scored 54 goals in 58 games in all competitions, last won the award in 2015.
He did not, however, enjoy success with the national team, losing in the Copa America semi-finals to rivals Brazil.
His win is somewhat of a surprise with Van Dijk, a centre back who transformed Liverpool's defence on the way to the Champions League crown, having won the European best player award.
Messi's win at the La Scala Opera house in Milan also marks a return to the dominance of the Argentine and Ronaldo, who between them have won the award all but once since 2007.
U.S. co-captain Megan Rapinoe won the women's top award after helping her country to the World Cup title this year in a tournament considered to be a milestone in the development and expansion of women's football internationally.
"I'm at a loss for words," she said. "This was an incredible year for women's football, for those who just noticed you are a bit late to the party. It truly was incredible, to be part of the World Cup, the enthusiasm we had was amazing."
Rapinoe, a strong off-the-field activist who also refused a potential visit the White House when the U.S. were on track to retain their world title, said players should use their success to help others.
"I ask everyone here, lend your platform to other people, share your success. We have a unique opportunity to use this game to actually change the world for better. I hope you take that to heart, do something, we have incredible power in this room."
She beat fellow co-captain Alex Morgan and England's Lucy Bronze.
The Best Fifa Football Awards 2019 winners in full
· Best Fifa Men's Player: Lionel Messi (Argentina/Barcelona)
· Best Fifa Women's Player: Megan Rapinoe (US/Reign FC
· Best Fifa Men's Coach: Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool Coach)
· Best Fifa Women's Coach: Jill Ellis (US Coach)
· Fifa Puskas Award: Daniel Zsori (Hungary/Fehérvár)
· Best Fifa Men's Goalkeeper: Alisson Becker (Brazil/ Liverpool)
· Best Fifa Women's Goalkeeper: Sari van Veenendaal (Netherlands/ Arsenal/Atletico Madrid)
Fifa Fan Award: Silvia Grecco (Brazilian)
FIFPro Men's World XI
1. Alisson Becker (BRA) - Liverpool
2. Matthijs de Ligt (NED) - Ajax / Juventus
3. Sergio Ramos (ESP) - Real Madrid
4. Virgil van Dijk (NED) - Liverpool
5. Marcelo (BRA) - Real Madrid
6. Luka Modric (CRO) - Real Madrid
7. Frenkie de Jong (NED) - Ajax/Barcelona
8. Eden Hazard (BEL) - Chelsea/ Real Madrid
9. Cristiano Ronaldo (POR) - Juventus
10. Kylian Mbappe (FRA) - Paris Saint-Germain
11. Lionel Messi (ARG) - Barcelona
FIFPro Women's World XI
- Sari van Veenendaal (NED) - Arsenal / Atletico Madrid
- Lucy Bronze (ENG) - Olympique Lyonnais
- Wendie Renard (FRA) - Olympique Lyonnais
- Nilla Fischer (SWE) - VfL Wolfsburg / Linkopings
- Kelley O'Hara (USA) - Utah Royals
- Amandine Henry (FRA) - Olympique Lyonnais
- Julie Ertz (USA) - Chicago Red Stars
- Rose Lavelle (USA) - Washington Spirit
- Megan Rapinoe (USA) - Reign FC
- Marta (BRA) - Orlando Pride
- Alex Morgan (USA) - Orlando Pride
