Lionel Messi picked up the Best Men's Player award for the third time since this format of the awards began in 2016, after doing so in 2019 and 2022.

A mix of votes from national team managers and captains, journalists and fans on Fifa's website - with each counting for 25% - were used to decide the winners.

For Ghana, this is how Black Stars coach Chris Hughton and Gary Al-Smith (representing the media) voted for the best player category.

Hughton voted Messi as his first choice, Mbappe in second while Haaland was given the third spot.

Al-Smith, however, opted for Haaland as the first option with City's Rodri and Victor Osimhen following accordingly.

How @garyalsmith and Chris Hughton voted at FIFA’s The Best Awards #JoyAFCON pic.twitter.com/56JlM5U6a9

— #JoyAFCON (@JoySportsGH) January 16, 2024

Messi and Haaland finished on the same points, with the former getting the award as he had more first-place nominations from national team captains.

The Argentina captain was named men's player of the year at the 2023 Fifa Best Awards in London on Monday, January 15.

The Inter Miami forward beat competition from Manchester City striker Erling Haaland with Paris St-Germain attacker Kylian Mbappe coming third.

He scored nine goals for PSG as they won the French Ligue 1 title and 10 goals in seven games as Inter Miami won the inaugural Leagues Cup in the United States.