Toni Kroos has been named the best playmaker of 2014 by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS).
The Real Madrid midfielder pipped Lionel Messi to the accolade by just two votes, securing a 110-108 advantage, thus ending Barcelona’s six-year hegemony.
Seven players from the Clasico giants were selected in the IFFHS’ top 10, with James Rodriguez (53 votes), Andres Iniesta (38 votes), Neymar, Luka Modric (21 votes each) and Ivan Rakitic (five votes) all making the grade.
The Premier League could only boast Yaya Toure and Eden Hazard in the list, while Bastian Schweinsteiger rounded things off as the Bundesliga’s sole representative.
Last week, both Cristiano Ronaldo was voted the IFFHS' top continental goalscorer of the past 12 months and Real Madrid the winner of its club world ranking.
