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Lionel Messi has landed the FIFA Best men’s player of the year award for a second time, but Cristiano Ronaldo cast no votes in that process.

A glitzy ceremony in Paris saw seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi recognised as the best player on the planet following his talismanic showings for Argentina in a triumphant 2022 World Cup campaign. He topped a poll made up of selections from national team captains and coaches from across the planet, with Ronaldo expected to form part of that process after skippering Portugal on 136 occasions over the course of a record-setting international career.

Five-time Golden Ball winner Ronaldo did not cast any votes in the Best poll, with FIFA confirming that veteran defender Pepe took on those responsibilities for Portugal in the wake of a World Cup finals that saw Ronaldo restricted to bench duty on a regular basis. Pepe gave his top pick to France and Paris Saint-Germain superstar Kylian Mbappe, before opting for his former Real Madrid colleagues Luka Modric and Karim Benzema in second and third spots respectively.