Messi voted for Ronaldo in The Best FIFA Awards as his third choice. The Argentina captain picked two of the architects of his nation's World Cup failure among his nominations, while Ronaldo rewarded two Madrid stars
Barcelona star Lionel Messi recognised Luka Modric as 2018's best player in the voting for FIFA's The Best awards, the federation has confirmed.
The pair have been rivals for years in La Liga, and also clashed in this year's World Cup when Argentina and Croatia faced off in Group D.
Modric came off the better in that encounter, inspiring a crushing 3-0 victory for Croatia that included a stunning long-range effort from the Real Madrid midfielder.
But Messi showed there were no hard feelings as he picked the World Cup finalist and The Best winner as his top player of 2018.
Kylian Mbappe, another player who made Messi and Argentina suffer in Russia, was Messi's second choice, with Cristiano Ronaldo taking third.
It was also the first time Messi picked Ronaldo in his top three.
Since he has been able to vote as captain of Argentina, from 2011, Messi has always chosen someone from either his home nation or Barcelona, and in several years both.
Raphael Varane was Ronaldo's top pick, followed by Modric and Atletico Madrid sharpshooter Antoine Griezmann.
Varane also received the backing of Modric, who mirrored Cristiano's selections by placing him in second followed by Griezmann.
Griezmann, who has attracted criticism in some quarters recently by placing himself alongside the likes of Messi and Ronaldo, did at least win the backing of one international captain: Uruguay skipper and Atletico team-mate Diego Godin.
Among the coaches, interim Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni plumped for Messi, while Brazil's Tite overlooked local hero Neymar in favour of Modric, Mohamed Salah and Ronaldo.
There were even a couple of nominations for World Cup Golden Boot winner Harry Kane, who won the approval of Bahamas coach Dion Godet and Chinese Taipei's Gary White, though Kane himself voted for Ronaldo first, Messi second and Premier League rival Kevin De Bruyne third.
You can check all the votes from captains, coaches and media via the FIFA website.
Ashutosh545
288
So Messi did pick up exactly what should be.... He never minds up rivalry or neither shows selfishness towards a player who did not perform.... Gentleman has a gentle sprit... You made me proud Messi... [Spittongue]
BAPPSPAULO
172
that's why he is the best
Alfazari
160
am a real Madrid fan and I sympathize mostly with Christiano Ronaldo but he's such a selfish person...obviously messi has clear n clean heart towards him but Ronaldo is jst such a hater... he feels no one else should be treated well as him...but this can tell that his time is getting nearer to being over....Messi will always be ahead of u Ronaldo because of his clean heart..
12UnitedGuy
98
I said it in a comment about Modric being named FIFA best that those hating on Modric would be surprised that messi might actually vote for Modric to collect the accolade at least Messi knows that Modric really does deserve it and he is not being biased about it Hala Modric and praises to messi for being so honest
messimiliano
76
Messi be like it's still a LM10 that has won the trophy[Spittongue]