FC Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi has been named the World's Best Playmaker of 2016, while an African star finished fifth in the ranking.
Tired of reading? Click through the gallery to see the World's Best Playmakers, according to the IFFHS.
The Germany-based International Federation of Football History Statistics (IFFHS) has announced its annual World's Best Playmaker ranking, and Messi successfully defended his award.
The Argentine received 172 voting points from voters in 56 countries across all continents, and ran away with the title, 106 points ahead of second-placed Andres Iniesta.
The 2012 and 2013 winner finished with 66 points in second spot, while 2014 winner Toni Kroos was ranked as the third best playmaker in 2016 with 45 points.
Arsenal's Mesut Ozil sits in fourth spot with 39 points, six ahead of Riyad Mahrez and Luka Modric, who share the fifth place.
Kevin De Bruyne, Paul Pogba, Eden Hazard and Dimitri Payet complete the top 10 of the World's Best Playmakers in 2016, as ranked by the IFFHS.
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Messi's triumph ensured that Barcelona have now won eight out of the past nine editions of the award – former Blaugrana captain Xavi Hernandez lifted it between 2008 and 2011, Iniesta in 2012 and 2013, and now Messi in 2015 and 2016.
Do you think Messi was the best playmaker in 2016? Have your say in the comments section below.
