Lionel Messi received the Ballon d'Or trophy from 2018 winner Luka Modric on Monday, with the Real Madrid midfielder then congratulating Barcelona's talismanic forward on social media.
Modric ended Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo's 10-year duopoly over the prestigious prize last year having helped Croatia reach the World Cup final after winning a third successive Champions League with Real Madrid.
It was Messi's turn to win the award again this year , though, as he claimed a record sixth Ballon d'Or having scored 41 goals in 44 club appearances so far across the calendar year.