The recently concluded The Best FIFA Awards Ceremony in Milan, Italy saw Argentine superstar Lionel Messi emerge as The Best FIFA Men's Player of the Year. In the process, he went on to beat Liverpool FC defender Virgil van Dijk and arch-nemesis Cristiano Ronaldo. This marks the sixth time that the FC Barcelona talisman cinched The Best FIFA Men's Player of the Year title.

While the Juventus FC forward didn't win the coveted individual award, Ronaldo did cast his vote in favour of other players. Surprisingly, the former Manchester United and Real Madrid CF megastar didn't vote for Messi. His first choice was his Juventus teammate Matthijs de Ligt, followed by Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong and Paris Saint-Germain's Kylian Mbappe.

On the other hand, Messi voted for Ronaldo as his second choice. His first choice was Senegal and Liverpool winger Sadio Mane. Messi chose de Jong as his third option. In contrast, Van Dijk voted Messi as his priority, while his second and third choices were his Liverpool teammates Mohammed Salah and Mane. Although van Dijk couldn't win the top prize, three of Anfield's warriors secured a spot in the top 5.

Lionel Messi
Argentina and Barcelona forward Lionel Messi (L) is presented with the men's player of year award by FIFA President Gianni Infantino. AFP / Marco Bertorello

Messi accumulated 46% of the total scoring points to emerge as the winner, while the runner-up van Dijk secured 38% of the votes. In the process, the Liverpool centre-back put Ronaldo closely behind as the Portuguese captain got 36% votes.

All the votes were gathered from the top international captains, coaches as well as a selected pool of media from across the globe. Each of the voters got an opportunity to pick three players. The first choice received 5 points, while the second-placed player received 2 points and the third choice collected 1 point each.

Despite not winning the top accolade, Ronaldo took his place in the FIFA Fifpro Men's Team of the Year. However, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner was a no-show at the mega event. Although FIFA's official website listed CR7's name as an integral part of The Best Men's Team of the Year, the organisers announced the names of only 10 players on stage before moving onto the next segment of the award ceremony. Ronaldo's name was not announced.

According to the BBC, Ronaldo chose not to attend the ceremony because of his upcoming Serie-A game on Tuesday against Brescia Calcio.

Lionel Messi FIFA Cristiano Ronaldo Champions League