Kigali: Lionel Messi beat Virgil van Dijk and Cristiano Ronaldo to the FIFA Best Men’s Player of the Year award – but how did Rwanda vote?
Barcelona talisman Lionel Messi was crowned the FIFA Best Men’s Player of the Year on Monday night.
The Argentina international beat Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk and Juventus’ Cristiano Ronaldo to the award. Messi won the award for the sixth time in his illustrious career after lifting the trophy in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2015.
The Nou Camp talisman helped Barcelona win La Liga, as well as guiding the Spanish giants to the Champions League semi-finals.
The awards are based on performances from 16 July 2018 to 19 July 2019 and were voted for by fans, national coaches of FIFA Member Associations, their team captains as well as a select group of football journalists from those countries.
Men’s Best Player Category
In the men’s best player category, Rwanda’s men head coach Mashami Vincent voted Liverpool Fc striker Mané Sadio as his first choice, then placed his second vote to Messi Lionel and lastly Cristiano Ronaldo.
Amavubi captain Jacques Tuyisenge gave his first vote to Egyptian Mohamed Salah, then placed his second vote to Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk and finally picked Frenkie De Jong.
The designated sports journalist Sammy Imanishimwe voted for Messi Lionel, Mané Sadio and Van Dijk Virgil.
Men’s Best Coach Category
In the men’s best coach category, Amavubi captain voted Deschamps Didier as his first choice, Guardiola Pep as second choice while Klopp Jurgen was his third choice.
Amavubi head coach, Mashami picked Liverpool coach Klopp Jurgen as his first choice, Guardiola Pep as his second choice while Santos Fernando was picked as his last choice.
Sports journalist Sammy Imanishimwe voted Guardiola Pep, Klopp Jurgen and Ten Hag Erik respectively.
Women’s Best Player Category
In the women’s best player category, Rwanda women’s team skipper Nibagwire Sifa Gloria voted Rapinoe Megan, Morgan Alex and Henry Amandine.
In the women’s best player category, Rwanda’s women’s head coach Habimana voted Rapinoe Megan, Renard Wendie and Henry Amandine respectively.
Women’s Best Coach Category
In the women’s best coach category, Rwanda’s women’s head coach Habimana Sosthene voted for Ellis Jill as his first choice, then Wiegman Sarina and finally Neville Phil.
The Rwanda women’s team skipper Nibagwire Sifa Gloria voted her first choice as Ellis Jill, then England’s Neville Phil and finally Wiegman Sarina. (End)