It’s a record breaking fourth year running that Barcelona
star and Argentinian forward Lionel Messi has been awarded the Ballon d’Or.
Messi, still only 25, was given the award as the world’s
best player at a ceremony held in Zurich yesterday. He was part of a three man
shortlist alongside his fellow teammate Anreas Iniesta and his Real Madrid
rival Cristiano Ronaldo.
The little Argentinian scored an incredible 91 goals this calendar
year and managed to sail past Gerd
Müller's record of 85 goals, for Bayern Munich and West Germany in 1972. He
netted 79 goals for Barcelona, plus another 12 for Argentina, in 69 games for
club and country. Messi also set a number of new records in many
other aspects of the game last year. Here are a few below:
Most goals in a single European Cup game: 5
Most La Liga hat-tricks in a season: 8
Most consecutive La Liga matches scored in: 10
Most goals in a European Cup season: 14 (jointly with Jose Altafini)
Most La Liga hat-tricks: 15
Most goals in a La Liga season: 50
Barcelona's record goalscorer in Champions League: 56
Most goals in a season: 68
Most goals in a calendar year: 91
Barcelona's top goalscorer in all official competitions: 286See more
Out of the 483 captains, coaches and media who voted on Monday, it was Messi who topped the polls with 41.6% of the votes. Second placed Ronaldo received 23.68% of the votes whilst the Barcelona midfield maestro Iniesta, received only 10.91% of the votes.
Most goals in a single European Cup game: 5
Most La Liga hat-tricks in a season: 8
Most consecutive La Liga matches scored in: 10
Most goals in a European Cup season: 14 (jointly with Jose Altafini)
Most La Liga hat-tricks: 15
Most goals in a La Liga season: 50
Barcelona's record goalscorer in Champions League: 56
Most goals in a season: 68
Most goals in a calendar year: 91
Barcelona's top goalscorer in all official competitions: 286See more
Out of the 483 captains, coaches and media who voted on Monday, it was Messi who topped the polls with 41.6% of the votes. Second placed Ronaldo received 23.68% of the votes whilst the Barcelona midfield maestro Iniesta, received only 10.91% of the votes.
Messi had this to say after winning
the award; ‘To tell you the truth this is really quite unbelievable. The
fourth award that I have had is just too great for words. I would like to
recognise my other colleagues from Barcelona. Andres, it has been great to
train and play alongside you’. He also went on to add; ‘I would also like to
recognise all of my friends in the Argentina national team, everyone that has
worked with me, coaches and staff and my family and my friends. Also my wife
and my son. Thank you.’
Messi also featured in the team
of the year which was made up of 10 players from Barcelona and Real Madrid. The
only exception was Radamel Falcao, who plays for Athletico Madrid, also in La
Liga.
1. Iker Casillas (Real Madrid)
2. Dani Alves (Barcelona)
3. Gerard Pique (Barcelona)
4. Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid)
5. Marcelo (Real Madrid)
6. Andres Iniesta (Barcelona)
7. Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid)
8. Xavi (Barcelona)
9. Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
10. Radamel Falcao (Atletico Madrid)
11. Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
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| Team of the year |
