The Best FIFA Men's Player 2019 | Ranking the final 3 contenders for the Award

We are less than a month away from the awards night

​Hello and welcome to our assessment of the final three contenders for the Best FIFA Men's Player Award for 2019. The winner is scheduled to be announced on 23rd September in Milan, at the Best FIFA Football Award Show.
FIFA previously released their final 10 man shortlist for the 2019 Best FIFA Men's Player of the year in July. FIFA has recently unveiled the Best Finalists, in Milan, which means that one of Lionel Messi, Virgil van Dijk and Cristiano Ronaldo will win the award.
This final ranking considers the performance of players from the start of this year to the end of the month of August. But how do the three men rank with regards to their chances of winning the award? Read on to find out.

3. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal, Juventus)

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Cristiano Ronaldo was on song as Juventus beat Napoli last weekend. Image courtesy - Instagram

The Portuguese sensation continues at 3rd in this list at the start of September. Cristiano Ronaldo finished second in last season's race behind Luka Modric, but is expected to drop down to third this season. The Portuguese returned empty handed from the recently concluded UEFA Awards, where both the UEFA Men's Player of the Season and the Forward of the Season Awards eluded him.
Ronaldo still had a stellar year with Juventus, winning the Supercoppa Italiana as well as the Serie A last season. He also lifted the inaugural UEFA Nations League trophy with Portugal in the summer and has shown no signs of stopping so far. Ronaldo has already scored his first goal of the season in the hard fought 4-3 win over Napoli last weekend.
The Portuguese should mount another challenge on both collective and personal accolades this season and few people would bet against him. However, Cristiano Ronaldo comes up short in the race to the Best FIFA Men's Player of the Year 2019.

2. Virgil van Dijk (Netherlands, Liverpool)

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Van Dijk won the UEFA Men's Player of the Year Award last week. Image Courtesy - Sky Sports

The Dutchman is undoubtedly the best defender in the world right now. Virgil van Dijk's impact for Liverpool since joining the club in January of 2018 has been iconic. While he was recently dethroned as the Costliest Defender in the World, the Dutchman still is worth his weight in gold.
Last season, van Dijk was talismanic for Liverpool, guiding them to the UEFA Champions League title. The Dutchman was even adjudged the man of the final match. Over the summer, van Dijk also reached the final of the inaugural UEFA Nation's League with Netherlands.The Dutchman won the UEFA Supercup at the start of the month with Liverpool. Virgil van Dijk was also adjudged the UEFA Men's Player of the Year as well as the UEFA Defender of the Year last week.
Even though the Dutchman has enjoyed a fantastic run up to the Best awards, there's one player who is still better placed than van Dijk to win the Best FIFA Men's Player of the year award for 2019.
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1. Lionel Messi (Argentina, Barcelona)

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Lionel Messi is currently recovering from injury. Image Courtesy - Sky Sports

Lionel Messi's is currently recovering from injury and has not kicked a ball in August. Last season, the Argentinean was phenomenal once again with Barcelona, winning the La Liga trophy and the
Supercopa de España, reaching the semi final of the UEFA Champions League and the final of the Copa Del Rey. Over the summer, Messi also reached the semi final of the Copa America with Argentina.
Personally, this was another record breaking year for the Argentinean. Messi won another Pichichi Trophy, the 6th of his career and also picked up his 6th European Golden Shoe. He was also the UEFA Champions League's top scorer for the 2018/19 season. He was also adjudged as the La Liga Best Player for the 2018/19 season. The Argentinean ended last season with 51 goals and 19 assists from 49 games in all competition. He also won the UEFA Forward of the Year last week.
Despite Virgil van Dijk's recent exploits, the Dutchman falls short of the Argentinean on the basis of personal achievements. Despite his teams' collective failure, Lionel Messi still stands tall as the best player in the world right now. After another blockbuster season, the Argentinean is our top contender for the Best FIFA Men's Player of the Year Award.

Do you agree with the rankings? Let us know in the comments!

Stay tuned for more updates on the Best Awards. Till then, Stay Football Mad!
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