Barcelona's Lionel Messi has won the 2018-2019 European Footballer of the Year award, beating Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo and Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk.

According to the newspaper "Toto Sport" that the Argentine star outperformed his rivals, where he got 252 points, compared to 224 for Van Dyck, who came second, far ahead of third-placed Ronaldo with 181 points.

The leaks on social media spread widely, ahead of the official announcement of the winner on August 29 in the city of Monaco, France, during the Champions League draw and the European League for the new season.

The UEFA announced on Thursday the final list of three candidates for the European Footballer of the Year award (Messi, Ronaldo and Van Dyck).

🚨 Infusion to rank players in the Player of the Year award from UEFA
"Legend of Leo Messi the best player in the world" pic.twitter.com/txUkIDlPrx

- Miso Ball (@ M10GOAT) August 16, 2019

- 🚨📸 | A leaked image of the winners of the UEFA Player of the Year award;

• [First place] - Lionel Messi 252 points
• [Second place] - Van Dyk 224 points 🇳🇱
• [Third place] - Cristiano Ronaldo 181 points 🇵🇹 pic.twitter.com/CN54SLnqJA

- Barcelona lovers (@MurtadaLami) August 16, 2019