Messi beats Ronaldo in 2017 pool

Lionel Messi pipped arch-rival Cristiano Ronaldo to top spot of the best footballers on the planet in 2017. 

This is according to a new list published by Marca.

In the year under review, second-placed Ronaldo had carried Real Madrid to a Liga-Champions League double – while Isco earns a surprise third place.

England forward Harry Kane was named the fourth best footballer on the planet in 2017, according to the Spanish national daily sport newspaper.

The Tottenham striker had a stellar 12 months, firing 39 top-flight goals to break Alan Shearer’s longstanding record for most Premier League goals in a calendar year.

Luka Modric completes the top five.

Mohamed Salah’s electric form was only good enough for 21st – despite some people suggesting he was Messi’s successor at the weekend – while Dele Alli, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Alexis Sanchez are marooned in 54th, 56th and 58th respectively.

Meanwhile Ronaldo says he he still has one eye on his post-football career.

The 32-year-old has revealed he wants to move into the movie business when he hangs up his boots, following in the footsteps of Pele, Eric Cantona and, erm, Vinnie Jones.

Ronaldo still has three years left on his Real Madrid contract, but has previously hinted that he could play beyond his 40th birthday.