Messi and De Jong claim UEFA awards

Lionel Messi and Frenkie de Jong have both claimed awards from UEFA in Monaco. At the draw for the group stage of this season's Champions League Europe's governing body rewarded Barça's Dutchman and Argentine for being the best midfielder and striker respectively in last season's Champions League. 

Frenkie De Jong, best midfielder 

The first of to receive his award was Frenkie de Jong as best midfielder for 2018/19. The Dutchman arrived at Barça in the summer and he claimed the prize ahead of fellow nominees Christian Eriksen of Tottenham Hotspur and Jordan Henderson of Liverpool. 

Leo Messi, best striker

Leo Messi was awarded the honour of being named best striker for the 2018/19 competition by UEFA. The Argentine finished ahead of his rivals Cristiano Ronaldo of Juventus and Sadio Mané of Liverpool. 

Marc-André ter Stegen was named amongst the three candidates for best goalkeeper but the award went to Liverpool's Alisson Becker. The best defender award also went to a Liverpool player, Virgil van Dijk, who also took home the overall prize for best player. 

Lionel Messi also claimed the best goal award for the 2018/19 season for his strike against Liverpool.