FIFA on Monday unveiled its three-man shortlist for the 2019 Best Men's Player award - with Cristiano Ronaldo, Virgil van Dijk and Lionel Messi all competing for the top prize.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, and Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino make up the three-man shortlist in the men's coach category in the FIFA awards.
Romelu Lukaku has become the latest footballing star to receive vile racist abuse from opposing fans - with Serie A side Cagliari the guilty party once again following their despicable act towards Everton new boy Moise Kean during his time as a Juventus player just a few months ago.
Cristiano Ronaldo has refused to wear a special Serie A badge awarded to him for winning Player of the Season last year with Juventus, in a sign of respect to his club team mates, Dailymail reports.
Liverpool centre-back Virgil van Dijk on Thursday won the UEFA Men’s Player of the Year award, edging out Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, while Lucy Bronze took the women’s prize.
The UEFA Champions League will kick off on Tuesday, 12 September as team battle it out for the most coveted price in Europe.
