Barça’s Messi and de Jong UEFA awards winners.

FC Barcelona’s Lionel Messi and Frenkie de Jong were winners today as they were both selected as Champions League Midfielder and Champions League Forward of the Season respectively in last season’s Champions League. The players were present for the UEFA Champions League draw in Monaco.

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk was named as Champions League defender of the Season and also the UEFA Men’s Player of the Year, beating Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to the award. Van Dijk’s Liverpool team-mate Alisson named Champions League Goalkeeper of the Season at Thursday’s Champions League draw ceremony.

Frenkie de Jong won his first UEFA award as the Champions League midfielder of the Season midfielder award for his great performance last season with Ajax Amsterdam and the Netherlands. Messi added more personal accolades to his list of achievements after being awarded Champions League Forward of the Season, and also winning the best goal award for for his free kick goal against Liverpool.