The ten-man shortlist for The Best FIFA Men’s Player 2019 award – based on their respective achievements during the period from 16 July 2018 to 19 July 2019 inclusive – was compiled by a panel of experts in men’s football.
Voting to decide the winner took place from 31 July to 19 August 2019 and was equally weighted between fans, journalists, national team coaches and captains.
The three finalists for each award were revealed in an event at the San Siro stadium in Milan on Monday 2 September, with all award winners revealed at The Best FIFA Football Awards show in Milan on 23 September.
THE FINALISTS
Cristiano Ronaldo
Helped Juventus win Serie A and named league’s Most Valuable Player
Finished as club’s top goalscorer in all competitions & won Italian Super Cup
Helped Portugal win UEFA Nations League as top goalscorer in the Nations League Finals
Lionel Messi
Won La Liga, helped side to UEFA Champions League semi-final and Copa del Rey final
Claimed European Golden Shoe as continent’s top goalscorer, was La Liga’s top assist-maker
Helped Argentina to bronze at 2019 Copa America
Virgil van Dijk
Won UEFA Champions League
Named PFA Players’ Player and Premier League Player of the Year
Helped Netherlands to UEFA Nations League final
THE OTHER CANDIDATES
Frenkie de Jong
Won domestic league and cup double
Reached semi-finals of UEFA Champions League
Named Eredivisie Player of the Season
Matthijs de Ligt
Won domestic league and cup double
Reached semi-finals of UEFA Champions League
Named in Eredivisie and UEFA Champions League squads of the season
Harry Kane
Helped Tottenham Hotspur reach their first UEFA Champions League final
Scored 17 Premier League goals in 28 appearances for Spurs
UEFA Nations League semi-finalist with England
Eden Hazard
Won UEFA Europa League with Chelsea
Club’s top goalscorer in all competitions
Named PFA Fans’ Player of the Year
Sadio Mane
Won UEFA Champions League
Joint top-scorer in Premier League
Helped Senegal to CAF Africa Cup of Nations final
Kylian Mbappe
Helped side win Ligue 1 and Trophee des Champions
Club’s top goalscorer in all competitions in 2018/19
Ligue 1 top goalscorer, named league’s Player of the Year
Mohamed Salah
Won UEFA Champions League
Club’s top goalscorer in all competitions in 2018/19
Joint top-scorer in Premier League
Culled from FIFA.com
