Best Fifa Football Awards 2019 LIVE result: Lionel Messi beats Virgil van Dijk and Cristiano Ronaldo to men's prize
Re-live coverage of the star-studded ceremony in Milan
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Your support makes all the difference.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.
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.
Even if you're rooting for Pep Guardiola or Mauricio Pochettino in the Best Men's Coach category, you have to appreciate this kind of Jurgen Klopp content, surely...
We're less than an hour away from the start of the ceremony in Milan!
You can check out the impressive goals that are up for the Puskas Award tonight here!
There's a sumptuous chipped finish from Lionel Messi, a laser-guided free-kick from Juan Fernando Quintero and a last-minute winner in the form of an overhead kick by Daniel Zsori.
Liverpool fans will like this sight...
Best Men's Player nominee Virgil van Dijk, Best Men's Goalkeeper nominee Alisson, and Best Men's Coach nominee Jurgen Klopp.
A reminder of The Best FIFA Women’s Player nominees this evening:
Lucy Bronze (ENG) – Olympique Lyonnais
Alex Morgan (USA) – Orlando Pride
Megan Rapinoe (USA) – Reign FC
The favourite for the women's award? It's not England's Lucy Bronze, despite the shrieking endorsement of Phil Neville, but Megan Rapinoe, top scorer at the World Cup with six goals and all-round woman of the people.
Right, the ceremony in Milan is set to kick off very shortly... I'm excited as you are.
The ceremony is under way!
And if you thought it would begin like a scene from Fantasia (Google it, kids) then you'd be bang right. Ballet and jaunty music against a forest backdrop. Absolutely no idea what it has to do with who's been the best footballer this year, and I suspect we'll never know.
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