Lionel Messi has been crowned the Best FIFA Men’s Player for the 2019/20 season, beating off competition from Kylian Mbappe and Karim Benzema.
The Barcelona star was presented with the award at the FIFA Best Awards ceremony in Zurich, Switzerland, on Thursday night.
Messi, 33, was the overwhelming favourite to win the award after a stellar season in which he scored 25 goals and provided 21 assists in 33 La Liga appearances.
The Argentine also led Barcelona to the Spanish Super Cup title and the Copa del Rey final, where they were beaten by Athletic Bilbao.
Messi’s performances also saw him named La Liga’s Player of the Year for the sixth time in his career.
The award caps off a remarkable year for Messi, who also won the Ballon d’Or for the sixth time in his career in December.
He is the first player to win both awards in the same year since Cristiano Ronaldo in 2017.
Messi beat off competition from Paris Saint-Germain’s Mbappe and Real Madrid’s Benzema to win the award.
Mbappe, 21, was the runner-up after a stellar season in which he scored 33 goals and provided 17 assists in 31 Ligue 1 appearances.
The French forward also helped PSG to the Ligue 1 title and the Champions League final, where they were beaten by Bayern Munich.
Benzema, 32, was third after a remarkable season in which he scored 21 goals and provided nine assists in 33 La Liga appearances.
The French forward also helped Real Madrid to the La Liga title and the Champions League semi-finals, where they were beaten by eventual winners Bayern Munich.
Messi’s win marks the fourth time he has won the award, having previously won it in 2009, 2010 and 2011.
He is the first player to win the award four times, surpassing Ronaldo, who won it three times.
The award is voted for by national team captains, coaches and media representatives from around the world.
Messi’s win is a fitting reward for a remarkable season in which he has continued to defy the odds and prove that age is just a number.
At 33, he is still one of the best players in the world and his performances this season have been nothing short of remarkable.
He is a true inspiration to millions of football fans around the world and his win is a testament to his hard work and dedication.
