Messi beats Ronaldo to be named IFFHS Player of the Decade

6:47pm on Sunday 7th February 2021
By Carlo Garganese

Lionel Messi has been named as the IFFHS Player of the Decade, beating Cristiano Ronaldo to the award.

The members of the International Federation of Football History (IFFHS) – which spans 150 countries – voted for the best players in the world from 2011 to 2020.

Barcelona legend Messi received the most votes, narrowly beating ex-Real Madrid and current Juventus superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.

The pair have been rivals for the best part of the last 15 years, sharing 11 Ballons d’Or between them.

They have faced off numerous times in Clasico clashes and one of football’s big debates has been which of the two superstars is the better footballer.

IFFHS Player of the Decade

Player	Team	Position
Lionel Messi	Barcelona	1
Cristiano Ronaldo	Juventus	2
Andres Iniesta	Vissel Kobe	3
Neymar	PSG	4
Sergio Ramos	Real Madrid	5
Manuel Neuer	Bayern Munich	6
Robert Lewandowski	Bayern Munich	7
Gianluigi Buffon	Juventus	8
Zlatan Ibrahimovic	Milan	9
Luka Modric	Real Madrid	10

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Spanish icon Andres Iniesta completed the podium after enjoying record-breaking success alongside Messi.

Another ex-Barcelona star Neymar finished in fourth and Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos was in fifth, having won four Champions League titles during the decade in question.

The next two places were taken by Bayern Munich duo Manuel Neuer and Robert Lewandowski, with 43-year-old Juventus and Italy legend Gianluigi Buffon the oldest player in the list in eighth position.

In ninth was evergreen AC Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric completing the top 10.