Lionel Messi
moved brilliance to another level as he was presented with the Ballon
D’Or for the fifth time in his extraordinary career.
The
greatest player of this generation was recognised by international
captains, managers and journalists for his outstanding performances
during 2015, when Barcelona became the first team to complete the treble
of league, cup and Champions League for the second time.
Messi’s
performances were, at times, mesmerising and his highlights from the
past 12 months include his goal against Bayern Munich in the Champions
League semi-final, when he chipped Manuel Neuer from six yards, and his
solo run against Atletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey final.
That goal
was a contender for the Puskas Award, which is given to mark the
previous year’s golden goal, but on this occasion, Messi had to settle
for minor honours. Wendell Lira, a Brazilian forward, won it for his
spectacular overhead kick for Goianesia.
Still,
he arrived in Zurich on Monday at the peak of his powers, which was a
stark contrast to 12 months ago when he was sullen amid intense
speculation that all was well behind the scenes at Camp Nou after Messi
had been dropped for a game against Real Sociedad.
His
numbers since, though, have been stunning, with 53 appearances for
Barcelona over the calendar year yielding 48 goals and 23 assists.
Cristiano Ronaldo, his great foe, may have outscored him – 54 in 52
games for Real Madrid – but Messi’s form has been on another level.
Those figures would have been even greater had a hamstring injury not
cost him two months.
‘It
is a very special moment for me to be back on this stage having watched
Cristiano (Ronaldo) win it for the last two years,’ said Messi, who was
clearly overcome when presented with the award in Zurich’s
Kongresshaus.
‘It
is incredible that it is my fifth Ballon D’Or, it more than anything I
could have dreamed of when I was a kid. I want to thank all my
team-mates as without them none of this would be possible. I also want
to thank football for everything, both the good and the bad. It has made
me learn.’
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