Lionel Messi was named the best player in the world for a record sixth time when he took home the Ballon d'Or at an awards ceremony in Paris on December 2.
He has the trophy five times, moving ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo, and finished third in the mens rankings this time behind Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk. Megan Rapinoe, a star of the USA's World Cup winning side, won the women's award.
Messi, 32, received his first Ball on d'Or 2009. Over the past ten years Messi has gone on to become the most celebrated in football and perhaps the greatest to play the game. " Ten years ago I received my first Ballon d'Or guided by my three brothers, he said. "Today, I receive my , guided by my wife and children. ”
As my wife says, it's important to never stop dreaming and to always work to improve and continue to enjoy myself. I hope to continue to play for some time. I know I am very lucky even if, one day, I will have to retire. That will be difficult but I still have beautiful years in front of me".
