Messi, Rapinoe are FIFA’s Best
Lionel Messi won his sixth FIFA player of the year award, while Megan Rapinoe won her first at a lavish ceremony at Milan’s iconic Teatro all Scala yesterday evening.
Rapinoe was rewarded Best women player award for leading the United States to the women’s World Cup title in July, as was Jill Ellis who won the
Rapinoe scored six goals in the tournament, earning her the Golden Boot for the tournament’s top scorer and the Golden Ball as the top player.
Messi’s award moved the Barcelona and Argentina forward one ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo, who was also among the three finalists.
The duo has dominated the award since 2008, with their string of victories only interrupted by Luka Modric last year.
Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk was the other finalist.
His club manager Jürgen Klopp was named coach of the year after steering Liverpool to the Champions League title in June. The other finalists also came from the Premier League. They were Pep Guardiola of Manchester City and Tottenham’s Mauricio Pochettino
The men’s team of the 2018-19 season, as voted on by soccer players around the world, was announced yesterday.
The goalkeeper is Alisson of Liverpool and Brazil.
In defence it’s Matthijs de Ligt (Netherlands, Juventus), Sergio Ramos (Spain, Real Madrid), Virgil van Dijk (Netherlands, Liverpool) and Marcelo (Brazil, Real Madrid).
The midfield features Luka Modric (Croatia, Real Madrid), Frenkie de Jong (Netherlands, Ajax) and Eden Hazard (Belgium, Real Madrid).
Up front, it’s Kylian Mbappe (France, Paris Saint-Germain), Lionel Messi (Argentina, Barcelona) and Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal, Juventus).
The at the FIFA Best ceremony went to Alisson of Liverpool and Brazil.
The 26-year-old Alisson helped Liverpool to the Champions League title in June and kept the most clean sheets in the Premier League (21).
He also helped Brazil win the Copa America.
The women’s team of the 2018-19 season, as voted on by soccer players, is composed of the following:
The goalkeeper is Sari van Veenendaal of Atletico Madrid and the Netherlands.
The back four consists of Lucy Bronze (England, Lyon), Wendie Renard (France, Lyon), Nilla Fischer (Sweden, Linköping) and Kelley O'Hara (United States, Utah Royals).
The midfield features Amandine Henry (France, Lyon), Julie Ertz (United States, Chicago Red Stars) and Rose Lavelle (United States, Washington Spirit).
Up front, it’s American World-Cup winning duo Megan Rapinoe (Reign FC) and Alex Morgan (Orlando FC), and Marta (Brazil, Orlando Pride).
The women’s goalkeeper award at the FIFA Best ceremony went to Sari van Veenendaal of Atletico Madrid and the Netherlands.
The 29-year-old Van Veenendaal captained the Netherlands to the final of the women’s World Cup, where it lost to the United States.
Silvia Greco has won the fan award at the FIFA Best ceremony.
The Palmeiras supporter takes her blind son Nickollas to matches and narrates the action for him.
Nickollas went on stage with his mother to accept the award.
The ceremony had opened with teenager Dániel Zsóri’s bicycle-kick winner on his debut for Debrecen being voted
The Puskas Award-winning goal from the 18-year-old came minutes after he came on as a substitute during Debrecen’s 2-1 victory over Ferencváros in the Hungarian League.