Lionel Messi picked Neymar ahead of Kylian Mbappe with his vote for the FIFA Best Award on Monday night.
The Argentine added another individual accolade to his cabinet as he scooped the award following his country's triumph at the World Cup in December last year. He and his fellow Paris Saint-Germain forwards were all nominated for the award having each excelled over the past 12 months.
Mbappe, who was narrowly pipped by Messi in Qatar, again played second fiddle to the 35-year-old as he came second. Karim Benzema, the Ballon d'Or winner, was third. Neymar wasn't in the top three, but would've been first had Messi been the man deciding.
There has long been a debate between Neymar and Mbappe, who have shared the same pitch since they first teamed up in Paris in 2017. The Brazilian is seven years his team-mate's senior and made the move to the Parc des Princes from Barcelona, where he played with Messi.
The two South Americans share a good relationship - Neymar reportedly offered to vacate the No 10 shirt at PSG when Messi joined, only for the Argentine to decline his kind proposal.
Messi previously told TUDN Mexico on his relationship with the Brazilian: "I would have liked to have more fun with him in Barcelona, but life brought us together in Paris. We are happy to be together. I love playing with him and being with him every day.”
Neymar has picked another injury in Paris with his future beyond this season unclear despite having several years to run on his contract. PSG are keen to trim their wage bill and could seek to move on the former Santos prodigy, who is earning around £600,000-a-week.
Messi too could be allowed to leave when his contract expires this summer, despite the Argentine clearly still being hugely influential. He's continued to come up with big moments for the Parisians and was thrilled to pick up the FIFA award for the second time.
He said: "It's amazing. It's been a tremendous year and it's an honour for me to be here and win this award. Without my team-mates I wouldn't be here. I achieved the dream I had been hoping for for so long. Very few people can achieve that and I have been lucky to do so."
It was a successful night all round for those from Argentina. Emi Martinez, the shootout hero, was named the best goalkeeper whilst Lionel Scaloni scooped the best manager award ahead of Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti.
