The votes of international managers and captains for the FIFA Best Men’s Player Award have been revealed, and there’s plenty of eye-catching choices.
Sadio Mane, who won what looked like a tactical vote from Lionel Messi, earned the backing of former Chelsea man Eden Hazard.
Hazard, a left-sided winger himself, clearly thinks joint-Golden Boot winner Mane near-mastered the role last season.
Another to opt for a Liverpool player was Bayern ‘keeper Manuel Neuer, who voted for eventual runner-up Virgil van Dijk.
He had Mane second after being embarrassed by his delightful chipped effort at the Allianz in the Champions League Round of 16, so fair play to him.
Many national captains had Van Dijk in second place, among them Harry Kane, Granit Xhaka, Heung-min Son and, notably, Seamus Coleman of Everton and the Republic of Ireland.
Scotland skipper Andy Robertson of course opted for the big centre-half who plays alongside him ahead of midfield sensation Frenkie de Jong and Mane.
In one of the most surprising headlines, Sergio Ramos included his TKO victim Mohamed Salah in his top three behind Hazard and Cristiano Ronaldo.
As for the managers, three of the five home nations bosses – Steve Clarke, Michael O’Neill and Mick McCarthy – voted for Van Dijk, while Gareth Southgate and Ryan Giggs had him in third place.