Argentina and FC Barcelona genius Lionel Messi was voted the AIPS Best Male Athlete of 2019, edging long distance legend Eliud Kipchoge into second place. The award for Best Female Athlete went to the USA gymnastics star Simone Biles for the 2nd year in a row: this is the result of a poll by the International Sports Press Association (AIPS), where a panel of 331 journalists from 102 countries voted for the Champions of 2019.
Earlier Liverpool FC was voted by the AIPS as the Best Team of 2019 after the incredible match in the UEFA Champions League ended with the title holder’s victory against Tottenham. Liverpool attracted the eyes of the world with one of the greatest UCL comebacks in its history by managing to access the final for the second year in a row after the 3-0 defeat in Barcelona. Pushed by Anfield’s support the Reds inflicted a 4-0 loss on Messi’s squad in a magical night. “You’ll Never Walk Alone”, sung at the top of his voice by coach Juergen Klopp under the Kop will remain a memorable moment of the decade.
The Reds were dominant in the Best Team poll, receiving a total of 908 votes, followed by the USA Women’s National Team, who were the heroines of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, with 538 votes, while Rugby South Africa Men’s National Team settled for third place with 434 votes.
This is the result of a poll by the International Sports Press Association (AIPS), where a panel of 331 journalists from 102 countries voted for the Champions of 2019.
Nobody has won more games than Leo Messi in the last 10 years: after being recognised as Player of the Year six times, earlier in September he collected the BEST FIFA Men’s Player Award for the first time. This year the Argentinian forward also obtained the recognition of the International Sport Press Association with 394 votes (13,11%) leaving second position to the long distance runner Eliud Kipchoge (361) and the bronze medal to Spanish tennis legend Rafael Nadal. “My main objectives this season are La Liga, the Champions League and the Copa America – Messi said to FIFA earlier in September – It’s been four years since we’ve won the Champions League and we really want to win it again. We know, though, that if we don’t do the job day in day out, then we won’t make it. And as for the Copa America, I’m really looking forward to having the opportunity to go for it yet again. I’m really excited about this year’s Copa.”
For the second year running AIPS crowns Simona Biles Best Female Athlete. 2019 was the year Biles broke the internet when she became the first woman to land a triple-double in competition. She stormed her way into the record books winning five gold medals out of the six medal events at the Word Championship in Stuttgart making her the most decorated gymnast of all time at world championships with 25 medals across five competitions.
At only 22 years of age she is the most dominant gymnast ever known and well on her way to being one of the most dominant athletes in the history of sport. It’s not just that she defies gravity, performing feats that were presumed near impossible. She lands them with grace and makes them look easy.
Biles topped the AIPS poll with 452 votes ahead of runner up Megan Rapinoe, who starred in the FIFA 2019 Women’s World Cup with USA Team, who had 406 votes and Shelly Ann Fraser-Pryce in third place with 331 votes.
