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.
US 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 US 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.
Liverpool’s Juergen Klopp was voted men’s coach of the year while US national team coach Jill Ellis took home the best women’s coach trophy.
Follow live coverage of the 2019 Best Fifa Football Awards tonight.
Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk, Juventus' Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona's Lionel Messi are up for the top prize in the men's game while England's Lucy Bronze goes up against the USA's World Cup winners Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe for the women's award. Premier League trio Pep Guardiola, Jurgen Klopp and Mauricio Pochettino are the nominees for the men's coach of the year in what should be an exciting and star-studded evening.
We'll have all the latest updates from Milan throughout the evening.
The nominees are...
Silvia Grecco from Brazil; Uruguay's Justo Sanchez; and Netherlands fans at the Women’s World Cup earlier this year.
(That is to say, 'best coach of a women's team', with Neville being the only male nominee of the three.)
Christiane Endler – Paris Saint-Germain, Chile
Hedvig Lindahl – Chelsea/Wolfsburg, Sweden
Sari van Veenendaal – Arsenal/Atletico Madrid, Netherlands
Liverpool's Alisson played in all 38 of his side's Premier League games last season, keeping 21 clean sheets and conceding 22 goals.
Manchester City's Ederson played in all 38 of his side's Premier League games last season, keeping 20 clean sheets and conceding 23 goals.
Barcelona's Marc-Andre ter Stegen played in 35 of his team's La Liga fixtures last season, keeping 16 clean sheets and conceding 32 goals.
Who do you think should be crowned Best Men's Goalkeeper?
What time does the ceremony start in the UK?
The festivities kick off in Milan at around 6.30pm with the green carpet arrivals. The ceremony then gets underway around 7.30pm in the UK.
What TV channel is it on?
The show is being broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League. Coverage begins at 7:30pm.
Can I live stream it?
Subscribers can watch the ceremony online via the Sky Go app.
Non-subscribers can also tune in with a NOW TV Day Pass which costs £7.99 a day, with a weekly version priced at £12.99.
What awards are being handed out?
The Best FIFA Men’s Player
Cristiano Ronaldo (POR) – Juventus
Lionel Messi (ARG) – FC Barcelona
Virgil van Dijk (NED) – Liverpool
The Best FIFA Women’s Player
Lucy Bronze (ENG) – Olympique Lyonnais
Alex Morgan (USA) – Orlando Pride
Megan Rapinoe (USA) – Reign FC
The Best FIFA Men’s Coach
Pep Guardiola (ESP) – Manchester City
Jurgen Klopp (GER) – Liverpool
Mauricio Pochettino (ARG) – Tottenham Hotspur
The Best FIFA Women’s Coach
Jill Ellis (USA) – USA national team
Phil Neville (ENG) – England national team
Sarina Wiegman (NED) – Netherlands national team
FIFA Fan Award
Silvia Grecco (BRA)
Netherlands Fans at the Women’s World Cup (NED)
Justo Sánchez (URU)
The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper
Alisson (BRA) – Liverpool
Ederson (BRA) – Manchester City
Marc-André ter Stegen (GER) – FC Barcelona
The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper
Christiane Endler (CHI) – Paris Saint-Germain
Hedvig Lindahl (SWE) – Chelsea / Wolfsburg
Sari van Veenendaal (NED) – Arsenal / Atletico Madrid
FIFA Puskás Award
Lionel Messi (ARG) – Real Betis v FC Barcelona [La Liga] (17 March 2019)
Juan Fernando Quintero (COL) – River Plate v Racing Club [Argentinian Superliga] (10 February 2019)
Dániel Zsóri (HUN) – Debrecen FC v Ferencváros TC [Nemzeti Bajnoskag I] (16 February 2019)
Who’s going to win?
Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk is heavy favourite to win the men’s prize after his Champions League heroics while Megan Rapinoe is tipped to take home the women’s award after an influential Women’s World Cup on and off the pitch.
