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28 March 2024

Messi pips Ronaldo for 'best footballer' award in Emirates 24|7 poll

FC Barcelona's Lionel Messi, from Argentina, celebrates, after scoring against Sevilla during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between FC Barcelona and Sevilla, at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, Nov 22, 2014. Messi set a La Liga scoring record of 253 goals when he claimed a hat-trick in Saturday's match at the Camp Nou stadium against Sevilla. (AP)

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By Staff

World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi proved yet again they are the hottest properties in football and are way ahead of the rest in a poll conducted by Emirates 24|7.

Barcelona wizard Lionel Messi edged out Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo when readers were asked to vote for 'the best footballer in the world currently'.

Messi, winner of the Golden Ball at the World Cup, got 46 per cent of the votes whereas Ronaldo, who netted a record 23rd hat-trick in La Liga, was not far behind getting 42 per cent of the votes.

The Argentine, who holds the La Liga and Champions League scoring records, produced yet another hat-trick to take his record to 402 goals for Barca in all competitions, including 28 in friendlies.

Messi produced his tour de force just a day after Cristiano Ronaldo, his rival for title of world's best player, scored a La Liga record 23rd hat-trick against Celta Vigo in a 3-0 win for leaders Real Madrid.

Former Liverpool star Luis Suarez, Chelsea playmaker Eden Hazard and England striker Wayne Rooney polled just one per cent apiece in contrast.

Dutch striker Arjen Robben (2 per cent) and Germany's World Cup winning goal keeper Manuel Neuer who will be challenging Ronaldo and Messi for the Ballon D'Or received four per cent of votes.