After two years of being level on five Ballon d’Ors each, Lionel Messi has now surpassed Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Argentine collected his sixth accolade on Monday for an incredible 2019 as he edged out Virgil van Dijk by the narrowest of margins.

Last year’s winner, Luka Modric, was there to hand over the prize.

However, there was one notable absentee - the player who finished third.

Ronaldo decided to attend Serie A award ceremony - rather than the Ballon d’Or - where he picked up Serie A's Most Valuable Player, as well as the best forward for the 2018/19 season.

As Van Dijk joked, the Portuguese was never really in contention for the biggest individual prize in football.

But there are still many that believe Ronaldo is still the greatest.

That, of course, includes his girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez.

The 25-year-old posted her support for Cristiano, calling him ‘number one.’

It read:

"Incomparable, unstoppable, brave and non-conformist.

"There are the stats and the titles and you're the star with the best results in them, with a UEFA Nations League, a Coppa Italia, a Serie A title and the Serie A best player award.

"But it's not just the prizes or the titles that speak for you, even though you have so many.

"What says the most about you is your passion, your desire to overcome and your teamwork.

"You're an inspiration in football and sport for millions and millions of people.

"You're not scared of challenges and you go out of your comfort zone, surpassing yourself continually and showing the world how to be number one.

"I love you."

The 'go out of your comfort zone' is certainly an interesting line. Is it a sly dig at Messi?

Of course, Ronaldo has played for four different clubs in four different countries and has excelled in all of them. Then there's his great rival, who has spent his entire career in Barcelona.

Ronaldo may not have the total support of football journalist around the world voting for the Ballon d’Or but he has the full support of his girlfriend.

The Juve star will now have to pick himself up and ensure he has a successful 2020 if he is to level with Messi on six Ballon d’Ors.

But it’s a year in which Ronaldo turns 35, meaning he would become the oldest winner of the award in its history.

You’d be a fool to bet against it, though.