Polish star striker Robert Lewandowski was ranked eighth in the annual vote organised by France Football magazine.
Liverpool’s Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk was announced runner-up at the awards ceremony in Paris on Monday night, ahead of Portuguese ace Cristiano Ronaldo.
2019 winner Lionel Messi poses with the six Ballon d'Or trophies he has won in his career during the ceremony at Theatre du Chatelet in Paris on Monday night. EPA/YOAN VALAT
There were 30 nominees in total for the France Football prize, which was voted for by 180 journalists from around the world.
Lewandowski's highest finish in the annual event was when he placed fourth in 2015.
Polish midfielder Kazimierz Deyna was in 1974 ranked third for the award presented by the French sports magazine, and countryman Zbigniew Boniek, a former Juventus player, came in third in 1982.
Boniek is now head of the Polish Football Association (PZPN), the national governing body for the sport.
Meanwhile, Poland's Wojciech Szczęsny was among 10 nominees for this year's Yachine Trophy created to recognise the world's best goalkeeper.
The award went to Liverpool's Brazilian goalie Alisson Becker.
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker holds the Yachine Trophy for best goalkeeper after being handed the prize by Robert Lewandowski (left) during the Ballon d'Or ceremony in Paris. Photo: EPA/YOAN VALAT
(gs/pk)
Source: TVP Sport, PAP