LONDON (Reuters) - Barcelona star Lionel Messi is the winner of the 2019 European Footballer of the Year award.

The leaks confirmed that he got 252 points, ahead of Liverpool defender and Dutch star Van Dyk (224 points), and Juventus striker Cristiano Ronaldo third with 181 points.

Wifa will announce the successor to Luka Modric in Monaco on the sidelines of the Champions League draw.