Cristiano Ronaldo's message: Dawn always comes after night The Best 2019 Didn't attend The Best awards

Cristiano Ronaldo spent his Monday evening relaxing at home in Turin rather than travelling to Milan for FIFA's The Best gala, and he dipped into philosophy on Instagram.

Lionel Messi was named The Best men's player for 2019 in the Portuguese's absence and the No.7 finished third, but his message on social media suggests that he's going to come back fighting.

"Patience and persistence are two characteristics that differentiate the professional from the amateur," he captioned a photo of him reading on his sofa, with his eldest son doing homework in the background.

"Everything that is great today started small.

"You can't do everything, but do everything possible to make your dreams come true.

"And keep in mind that dawn always comes after night."