Topics: Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe
Lionel Messi set two new records after picking up the Best Men's Player award on Monday night.
Messi beat both Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe to scoop the prize, which was handed at a plush awards ceremony in London.
It was not a comprehensive victory for the Argentine as FIFA have confirmed both he and Haaland finished level on points.
The points were accrued from votes from national team managers and captains, as well as fans and journalists.
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But because Messi received more votes from national team captains, he took the gong and followed up his Ballon d'Or win at the start of last season.
Messi created more history as he became the first player outside of Europe to win the award.
He now plies his trade with MLS side Inter Miami and scored 11 goals in 14 games last season as they won the Leagues Cup.
His World Cup triumph with Argentina was not applicable to the Best as it was outside of the window but Messi still came out on top after trophies with PSG and Inter.
He was also named in the World XI and set another record as it was his 17th consecutive appearance in the side.
Messi, however, was not in attendance to collect his prize in person.
That's because the Barcelona legend is currently participating in pre-season with Inter ahead of the new MLS season.
He and long-time friend and colleague Luis Suarez are back in training and preparing for a jam-packed schedule.
Gerardo Martino's side have seven different friendly games, beginning with a match against the El Salvador national team and concluding with a clash against Messi's boyhood club Newell's Old Boys.
Another highlight fixture is the showdown with Cristiano Ronaldo's 'Al Nassr' in Riyadh in what could be a 'Last Dance' between the pair of legends.
